ALS in German, one page, 9 x 11, January 13, 1844. Letter to Raimund Hartel of the publishing house of Breitkopf and Hartel. In part: “You’ve probably heard that I conducted the second performance of my opera on Tuesday in Berlin…As far as this opera of mine in concerned, namely The Flying Dutchman, I am resolved now not to delay its publication any longer for any reason, especially for artistic reasons…The performance in Berlin caused more than a sensation, it incited amazement. I want very much to be able to put my music before the public in black-and-white particularly after the remarkably successful Berlin performance. Also from the publisher’s point of view, a more propitious moment than now will scarcely be found for publishing this opera…Let’s conclude the matter quickly…It is especially important to me that this opera be placed before the public and not just sung and performed for it.” Second integral page bears an address panel in another hand and a nice impression of Wagner’s red wax seal with “RW,” visible.
By 1839, the Wagner and his wife had amassed such large debts that they fled Riga to escape from creditors (debt would plague Wagner for most of his life). During their flight, they took a stormy sea passage to London, from which Wagner claimed to draw the inspiration for Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman). In his 1843 Autobiographical Sketch Wagner acknowledged he had taken the story from Heinrich Heine's retelling of the legend in his 1834 satirical novel The Memoirs of Mister von Schnabelewopski. The Wagners spent 1840 and 1841 in Paris, where Richard made a scant living writing articles and arranging operas by other composers, largely on behalf of the Schlesinger publishing house. When Wagner’s opera premiered in Berlin, which opened in front of the king and a packed house, Wagner stated Felix Mendelssohn embraced him after the performance, however it was stated by others that Mendelssohn was angry about Wagner’s music. When Hartel considered publishing the work and pressed Mendelssohn for his judgement, he procrastinated. Hartel would strike a publishing deal with Wagner, but apparently the deal was based on sales after a certain number was reached, which would prove to be unsatisfactory to Wagner. Document has been professionally silked on the reverse of both pages, with letter and address panel page having been professionally cleaned and preserved. In very good condition, with aforementioned restorations, intersecting storage folds, lightly affecting a couple letters of signature, and mild toning. An unusually early and significant letter relating to one of Wagner’s most well-known and operas, marking the start of the mature Wagner canon. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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