1873 was a critical year in the life of Richard Wagner. Expectations were high when construction began on the theater. And now, even though the ambitious festival enterprise was threatened with failure, Wagner single-mindedly drove his collaborators and fund raisers on, mercilessly. Most of the approx. 320 ascertainable letters edited by Angela Steinsiek testify to his attempts to raise funds: through increased concert activity, selective publications, even through the convocation of an assembly of patrons. Other adversities he faced are found in the numerous letters from publishers which document the publication of the “Rheingold” score; the completion of Wagner’s first book of collected writings; and the hindrances constantly preventing him from orchestrating “Götterdämmerung”, which kept stalling because of everyday chores. Moreover, a series of letters also clearly illustrates the process of the construction of Haus Wahnfried, whose luxurious interior decoration had to be dropped for lack of funds.
- ISBN: 9783765104251 (3765104256)
