Opera.

comprising a record by an unidentified writer of 138 performances of plays, comedies and operas in various Vienna theatres, including the Kärntnertortheater, the Theater in der Leopoldstadt, the Theater in der Josefstadt and the Theater an der Wien, between 18 May 1819 and 23 November 1821, recording performances of works by Mozart (Die Hochzeit des Figaro, Don Juan, Mädchentreue [Così fan tutte], Titus der Gütige), Paisiello, Winter (Das unterbrochene Opferfest), Weber (Freischütz), Cherubini (Die Tage der Gefahr), Müller, Spontini (Die Vestalin), Paer, Méhul, Rossini (Tankred), Boieldieu, Iffland (Der Fremde), Kotzebue, Grillparzer (Sapho), Shakespeare, and others; the catalogue written in brown ink, entitled "Verzeichniss jener Theaterstüke welche ich vom 18ten May 1819 an, gesehen habe Ende [1]821", each entry providing information as to the date of performance, genre, number of acts, author or composer, as well as the writer's comments on the performance, 31 pages, 4to, ties, Vienna, 1819-1821

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An important and apparently unpublished eyewitness record of theatrical performances in Vienna between 1819 and 1821. Of particular interest are the unidentified author's comments on the music, the performances and in some cases the singers themselves. Concerning Weber's Freischütz, for instance, which the writer saw at the Kärntnertortheater on 8 December 1821, he notes that the choruses are too small, but that the music is very good and deserves to be heard often. Mozart appears to be a particular favourite: his comment on the German production of Le nozze di Figaro at the Kärntnertortheater on 8 July 1819 is that it is "by father Mozart" ("vom Vater Mozart"); of Tito, performed at the Kärntnertortheater on 10 October 1820, he notes: "Musik klassisch"; and the performance of Mädchentreue (Così) at the same theatre on 21 October 1819 is commented on at length ("...Die Oper wird mit Aufwand u sehr gut gegeben...").