- 23
Cornelius, Peter
Description
- Cornelius, Peter
- Important collection of twelve autograph letters signed ("Dein Cornelius"; "Dein Peter") and part of another autograph letter, to Carl Tausig,
- paper, ink
...das Orchester leistete bei der Probe das Unerhörte. Es wurde die Einleitung, erste Scene des zweiten Aktes, die As dur Stelle des Duettes, Gesang der Brangäne und Schluss der Oper, (Isolde) gespielt. Alles zweimal und ging wie in einer Generalprobe. Leider musste Esser die Scenen-Hörner auf dem Clavier spielen. - Es waren zwei schöne Stunden...
53 pages, 8vo (c.23 x 14.6cm), the letter of [4 April 1862] without the beginning and ending, one letter containing the remark concerning Carolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein as transmitted in Literarische Werke, i 269 (Vienna, 6 December 1861), but otherwise different, Vienna, Nonntal, Munich, 28 October 1861-29 December 1865, where indicated, some splitting along folds and a few tiny tears
Literature
Condition
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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."
Catalogue Note
The composer, writer and poet Peter Cornelius (1824-1874), best-known in England as the composer of the Christmas carol Three Kings from Persian Lands afar, was introduced by his close friend and Liszt pupil Carl Tausig (1841-1871) - Cornelius's correspondent here - to Wagner in May 1861. Cornelius soon fell under Wagner's spell, and both he and Tausig were entrusted by Wagner with the task of coaching the singers in the rehearsals in Vienna of Wagner's Tristan. Notwithstanding over 70 rehearsals, the work proved too difficult however to stage in Vienna, and it was not until 1865 that the opera was finally performed in Munich, thanks to the financial support of the Bavarian king Ludwig II. By this time Cornelius had fallen out of love with Wagner and famously did not attend the Munich premiere. The effects of this decision of his are related here, as well as Cornelius's views on a great range of topics - including the appalling behaviour of Cosima ("...diese unselig kokette Frau..."), in her attempt to belittle Wagner's earlier friends - all expressed in his elegant literary style and illuminated by his highly sympathetic sensibility.