Zurich manuscript by Richard Wagner is back at its place of origin
Published: Wednesday, Apr 24th 2024, 10:10
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A handwritten manuscript by composer Richard Wagner that was written in Zurich has returned to its place of origin after more than 170 years. The University of Zurich acquired the manuscript at an auction, as it announced on Wednesday.
"The purchase of the Wagner manuscript is of great importance for Zurich, UZH and for science," said Michael Schaepman, Rector of the University of Zurich (UZH), in the press release.
The manuscript entitled "Mitteilung an meine Freunde" was written in August 1851 in Zurich in the house "Zum Abendstern" in the Enge district. The text was published in the same year as a supplement and preface to the libretti of the operas "Der fliegende Holländer", "Tannhäuser" and "Lohengrin".
Deletions and corrections
The work is a kind of autobiographical assessment of his position. Wagner interprets his work to date and summarizes what music drama should achieve in the future.
Until now, the text had only been available to researchers in a printed version. The manuscript, on the other hand, reveals intensive work. The manuscript is written in dark brown ink and contains extensive deletions, corrections, revisions and additions.
Insights into Wagner's thinking
Musicologists at UZH now want to investigate and trace how this text was created. According to the university, these analyses will provide new findings and insights into the work, thoughts and influence of Richard Wagner in Zurich.
Zurich was an important station in Richard Wagner's biography and work, as the UZH emphasized. After the failed May Uprising in Dresden in 1849 against the Saxon King Friedrich August II, in which the composer had participated, Wagner lived in exile in Zurich from 1849 to 1858.
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