Primarily known as opera composer, Donizetti is also the most important Italian representative of the string quartet genre. Whereas the first quartets can be regarded as experiments of the young composer with a strict classical form, the middle and later pieces are unmistakable expressions of a mature musical mind. The string quartets Nos. 7-12 make up the second of three volumes - quartets Nos. 13-18 are already published in ETP 1425. The editions are based on the autograph sources and for the first time represent the complete, critically edited musical text.