Richard Wagner and His Poetical Work, from "Rienzi" to "Parsifal"

Judith Gautier

Sep 2022 · DigiCat

About this ebook

In "Richard Wagner and His Poetical Work, from 'Rienzi' to 'Parsifal'," Judith Gautier offers a comprehensive exploration of Wagner's evolution as a composer and his intricate relationship with poetry. This work delves deeply into Wagner's artistic vision, exploring how each opera reflects his philosophical and aesthetic ideals. Gautier employs a lyrical and analytical style, weaving together historical context and personal insights to illuminate Wagner's influence on music and literature. The text engages with the thematic consistencies that underpin Wagner's oeuvre, from the grand aspirations of 'Rienzi' to the spiritual profundities of 'Parsifal', mapping his journey through innovation and expressive depth. Judith Gautier, a prominent literary figure and the daughter of the influential poet, Theophile Gautier, was deeply immersed in the cultural landscape of her time. Her firsthand engagement with the Parisian artistic circles, alongside her admiration for Wagner's work, imbued her scholarship with both passion and authority. Gautier's familiarity with the music scene and her poetic sensibility enriched her critiques, articulating a nuanced understanding of Wagner's contributions to the opera world and the broader cultural dialogue. This book is a must-read for any scholar, musician, or lover of the arts seeking to grasp Wagner's legacy in a broader literary and philosophical framework. Gautier's insightful examinations offer rich perspectives that enhance our appreciation of both Wagner's operas and their poetic foundations.

About the author

Judith Gautier (1845-1917), daughter of the esteemed French poet and novelist Théophile Gautier, was a distinguished writer and poet in her own right. Embracing her father's literary legacy, she cultivated a profound knowledge of the arts and developed an extensive literary oeuvre that is celebrated for its lyrical style and rich cultural references. Her literary contributions extend to theatre, poetry, and criticism, but one of her notable works as a critic is 'Richard Wagner and His Poetical Work, from "Rienzi" to "Parsifal"' – a comprehensive analysis of the operas of the famed German composer, which underscores her deep appreciation for Wagner's artistic vision and her scholarly approach to his music dramas. Gautier's writing often bridged the cultural divide between East and West, exemplified by her profound interest in and translations of Oriental poetry. Her nuanced understanding of music and literature was cultivated through her own worldly experiences and literary endeavors. Immersed within the Parisian intellectual circle of the late 19th century, she became one of the salient women intellectuals of that era, distinguished by a literary style that imbued elegance, erudition, and often an exotic charm reflective of her fascination with far-flung cultures. Her authored works resonate with the intricate tapestry of themes encompassing romance, mysticism, and the pursuit of the aesthetic, distinctive attributes that compose the scholarly and imaginative fabric of her written legacy.