R. Wagner. Two theatre notices about Wagner's performances of "Norma" and "Der fliegende Holländer" in Riga, 1837-1843

Richard Wagner

Two early printed theatre notices about Wagner's performances of Norma and Der fliegende Holländer in Riga, 1837 & 1843

1) Printed notice by Wagner announcing the performance 11 December 1837, for his own benefit, of Bellini's Norma, and taking the opportunity to make a sideswipe at the dullness ["Flachheit"] of new Italian music ("Theater-Anzeige...und selbst die entschiedensten Gegner neuitaliensicher Musik haben diese Komposition die Gerechtfertigkeit widerfahren lassen, daß sie zum Herzen sprechend, ein inneres Streben zeige und der modernen Flachheit nicht huldige..."), 1 page, 22.8 x 17.2cm, Riga, 8 December 1837,some tears repaired and edges strengthened, edges trimmed, spotting   

2) Printed notice by J. Hoffmann announcing the first Riga performance of Wagner's Der fliegende Holländer ("Theater-Anzeige. Sonnabend, den 22. May 1843 wird aufgeführt werden zum Erstenmale: Der fliegende Holländer. Große romantische oper in 3 Akten..."), 1 page, 12.6 x cm, 18.1, Riga, 20 May 1843, cut down from a larger leaf, inside edge strengthened, edges trimmed, spotting 

RARE. Wagner was musical director of the theatre in Riga between the summer of 1837 and the summer of 1839. It was during this time that he wrote the poem and some of the music of his five-act opera Rienzi, first performed at Dresden on 20 October 1842. The premiere of Der fliegende Holländer followed not long afterwards on 2 January 1843. Although dismissive of most Italian opera, Wagner esteemed Norma highly and composed an additional aria for the high priest Oroveso (WWV 52).