Description:

Richard Wagner 1876 ALS Bayreuth Festival

WAGNER, RICHARD. Autograph Letter Signed, “Richard Wagner”, in German, 2pp on one sheet, 5.5” x 8.5”, Bayreuth, January 1, 1876. Remnants of adhesive at left margin which slightly touches the “r” in “Wagner”, flattened fold with 1” separation repaired at verso, small tear to bottom right edge, very light creasing, else near fine condition. Includes a complete typed translation, an RR Auction Certificate of Authenticity, and a PSA/DNA Letter of Authenticity.

Wagner wrote this letter on New Year’s Day in 1876, the inaugural year of the Bayreuth Festival, which is a music festival held annually in Bayreuth, at which performances of operas by Wagner are presented. He conceived and promoted the idea of a special festival to showcase his own works, in particular his monumental cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen and Parsifal. Wagner personally supervised the design and construction of the theatre, which contained many architectural innovations to accommodate the huge orchestras for which Wagner wrote as well as the composer's particular vision about the staging of his works. Artistically, the festival was a success. Tchaikovsky, who attended the festival, said, "Something has taken place at Bayreuth which our grandchildren and their children will still remember". Financially, however, the festival was a disaster and did not begin to make money until several years later.

In this letter, Wagner discusses financial negotiations between his executive board and Emil Scaria (1838-1886), an Austrian bass-baritone who Wagner wanted to hire for his Bayreuth Festival inaugural performance. Translated in full, “My dearest friend! I hear that Scaria published the response he received from my administrative council regarding his monetary claims. A publication, unfortunately, recounting these claims completely inaccurately. Mr. Scaria claimed 7500 Reichsmark for the month of August, as well as 250 marks for each day of July. You personally know very well how highly I appreciate true talent and that I absolutely would not be able to evaluate in monetary terms his performance. On the other hand, especially you understand very well that for my rather risky endeavors in this connection, it is absolutely essential for me to deal in an open manner with the entire cast. In that light, I would feel guilty for having committed a serious injustice towards all the artists who stood by my side with true dedication, if I showed submissiveness on my part towards an individual who decides to put himself on a separate footing. I am informing you of all this to prevent that you might possibly start doubting my integrity. Furthermore, I am hoping friend Scaria will take to heart my objections I recently voiced in confidence and show his inclination to reconsider the true relationship existing between us. If he should deem to make good the injustice leveled against my person, he perhaps will feel compelled letting the truth be known and correct the inaccurate reports to which his compensation in Bayreuth was reduced for three months. Still, I am always hoping for the Best! In particular I hope I can count on your loyalty, as well as on your beautiful talent, which is growing ever dearer to me! These greetings for the New Year and not only intended for you but equally for your most distinguished husband. Hoping to see you soon.”

In 1882, Scaria created the role of Gurnemanz in Parsifal for Wagner at Bayreuth.

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) was a German dramatic composer and theorist whose operas and music had a revolutionary influence on the course of Western music. Among his major works are The Flying Dutchman (1843), Tannhäuser (1845), Lohengrin (1850), Tristan und Isolde (1865), Parsifal (1882), and his great tetralogy, The Ring of the Nibelung (1869-76).

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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