Lot 250
Wagner, Richard (1813-1883) German composer; he wrote 13 operas and other compositions. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 9 x 7½", Dresden, Oct. 27, 1845. Elaborately matted and framed to an overall size of 25¾ x 29½". Written to Messrs. Sturm & Koppe (publishers) eight days after the premiere of Tannhäuser at the Royal Saxon Court Theater in Dresden.
Approximate translation: "Highly esteemed sirs: With my sincere thanks for your kind and empathetic request relative to a report concerning the representation of my new Opera in Dresden. I have to advise you that according to what I am told, a fully detailed review of same is already being prepared for your esteemed publication, but it was decided to wait until after the second performance - which, because of hoarseness on the part of Mme. Schröder-Devrient, had to be postponed until today - before sending it off to you. It was more than welcome for me to learn this, since evidently I myself could have given you nothing but a very dry account of the facts. Please accept once more my warmest thanks and the assurance of my highest regard. I remain, Yours most truly, Richard Wagner.
P.S. K.S. Hasti, the conductor is a refugee."
In 1842, Wagner moved to Dresden, where Rienzi, which he had completed in 1840, was staged at the Dresden Court Theatre (Hofoper) to considerable acclaim. Wagner stayed in Dresden for the next six years, eventually being appointed the Royal Saxon Court Conductor. During this period, he staged The Flying Dutchman (1843) and Tannhäuser, which premiered on Oct. 19, 1845. Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient performed the role of Venus and Wagner's niece, Johanna, performed the role of Elizabeth. The title role was created by Josef Tichatschek. Wagner conducted the performance. Tannhäuser did not achieve the success that Rienzi had and Wagner began to amend it almost immediately; consequently, there are two versions of Tannhäuser: the Dresden version, and the Paris version, which was amended especially for an 1861 request performance for Emperor Napoleon III at the Paris Opéra.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
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| Realized $4,800 |
