Wagner, Richard. (1813–1883)
"Über Schauspieler und Sänger" - Inscribed Presentation Copy
Bonn: E. W. Fritzsch. 1872. First edition. 8vo. 86 pp. Inscribed by Wagner to Graf Doenhof on the first free endpage. Finely bound in full tan calf, with ornamental gilt and dry stamping to boards. Edges bumped and scuffed, overall a very fine copy. While Wagner was a prolific letter-writer, we know of comparatively few signed presentation copies of his literary achievements. This volume was likely prepared in this deluxe binding by the publisher for the composer to give to important friends and patrons. Wagner had met the Count Doenhof [Donhoff] in Paris in 1860/61."Art ceases, strictly speaking, to be Art from the moment it presents itself as Art to our reflecting consciousness." (from Über Schauspieler und Sänger)
"Actors and Singers" is one of Wagner's most influential writings, in which he challenges fundamental questions of aesthetic appreciation. In a letter to Wagner, Friedrich Nietzsche writes "your splendid essay on 'Actors and Singers' has again kindled in me the desire to have some one make a comprehensive review from your researches and conclusions in the field of aesthetics, and thereby show what radical changes have taken place in regard to artistic viewpoints, - changes whereby these viewpoints have been deepended and intensified so that practically nothing remains of the traditional theories of 'Aesthetics.'" (9861)
Printed Music Opera