LOT #47263 |
Sold on Apr 5, 2024 for: Not Sold
Richard Wagner Autograph Letter Signed ...
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Description
Richard Wagner Autograph Letter Signed "Richard Wagner." Two pages, 5 ¼ x 8 inches, Bayreuth; June 4, 1876. A letter written in German to the wife of Emil Scaria, an operatic singer who had been selected by Wagner to headline at the Bayreuth Festival which featured the first complete performance of Wagner's "Ring Cycle." He writes:"I regret very much the agitation of your husband, my very esteemed friend, which unfortunately could not but reveal itself to me in his having a very untrue statement about the matter of my administrative council published in the newspapers; in doing so, he forgot to give the correct amount and instead left it up to the reporter to reduce his article about this claim of payment to a minimum, from which thus nobody will understand how one could reply to it, while the claim seems to be likely and indeed calculated to lure my other artistic comrades away from me. Let us hope that this agitation passes, and your husband's artistic sense, well disposed to me, to which I already owe so much gratitude, finds the right expression for his future dealings with me!"
Wagner's ambitious goals for the Bayreuth Festival were plagued by financial challenges from its very inception. Wagner had difficulty securing funding and there were problems in paying the performers and staff. Scaria, a renowned opera singer of his time, was among those affected. Despite the financial challenges, many performers were deeply committed to Wagner's vision and participated in the festival to its conclusion, including Scaria. The 1876 Bayreuth Festival (which ran from August 13 to 30) went on to be a historic event in the world of opera and Scaria's collaboration with Wagner is noted as being a significant part of his career as well as marking a shift towards a more dramatic and expressive style that would influence future generations of opera singers.
Matted and double-glazed allowing viewing of both sides of the letter, with a portrait of Wagner, to the overall size of 14 ¼ x 17 ½ inches.
Condition: Gently toned, with a few ink smears affecting a few words on the first page of the letter. Flattened folds with light creasing. Frame has moderate wear, especially at the corners.
References: The Life of Richard Wagner, Ernest Newman.
Provenance: Kenneth W. Rendell Gallery. Estate of Ernest Henry Seelhorst; Brenham, Texas.
Auction Info
2024 April 5 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6285 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2024
5th
Friday
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