The Overture to Si j'étais roi (If I Were King) by French composer Adolphe Adam is one of the most brilliant and lively pieces in the 19th-century operatic repertoire. Written for the comic opera staged in 1852, the overture introduces the story with elegance and lightness. In the new transcription for band , the lively melodies and dynamic contrasts typical of 19th-century operatic style are enhanced by the different instrumental sections, offering a brilliant piece with great concert impact.