Wagner, Richard. (1813–1883) Drei Operndichtungen nebst einer Mittheilung an seine Freunde als Vorwort

Wagner, Richard. (1813–1883)

Drei Operndichtungen nebst einer Mittheilung an seine Freunde als Vorwort

Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel. 1852. First edition. 352 pp. Original front wrapper and complete text block bound in contemporary paper boards with gilt-stamped title plate to spine. Oesterlein No. 8; Stag IV, 1426; Wolffheim II, 628; Small p. 35 (giving 1851 as year of publication). With the ownership signature of the music critic and later owner of the "Allgemeinen Musik-Zeitung," Otto Lessmann. A little browned, some modest mildew stains scattered towards the end.

Very rare first edition. The "Mittheilung" appearing here for the first time; the three opera texts (Holländer, Tannhäuser, Lohengrin) reprinted for the first time. The reason for this issue were the apparent contradictions between the poetic properties of these three texts and the views codified in the composer's "Opera and Drama" (see preface). "Härtel...protested so vigorously against certain passages in this preface, which wounded his orthodoxy and political feelings, that I thought seriously of giving the book to another firm. However, he finally persuaded me to give way, and I pacified his tender conscience by a few trifling alterations" (Wagner, "My Life"). (9783)

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