- Creator
- Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883
- Call number
- JOB 91-38
- Physical description
- 1 item
- Language
- In German
- Preferred Citation
- Draft of letter to be written to Director Bethmann by Minna Planer, Music Division, The New York Public Library
- Repository
- Music Division
- Access to materials
- Request an in-person research appointment.
As a young man, the German composer Richard Wagner was in love with actress Minna Planer who later became his first wife. Minna's standing as first tragic artist in the Magdeburg theater was being threatened by a Mme. Grabowsky. Bethmann was director of the theater. A scribbled draft in the hand of Richard Wagner of a letter for Minna Planer to send to Director Bethmann, demanding her rights as first tragic actress in the Magdeburg theater. The draft is written on the verso of a discarded letter, a rejection by Minna to an unnamed suitor. In the remaining space on the same sheet of paper, Natalie Planer (Minna's illegitimate daughter) has written an explanation of Richard Wagner's draft.
Administrative information
Custodial history
Formerly owned by Mary Banks Burrell. Cf. Catalogue of the Burrell collection of Wagner documents, letters and other biographical material. London : Nonpareil Press, 1929. Item 52.
Source of acquisition
Purchase, Christie, Manson & Woods International Inc, 1978Bibliography
Richard Wagner's draft and Minna Planer's discarded letter are published, and Natalie Planer's note is described in: Richard Wagner Briefe : die Sammlung Burrell / hrsg. von John N. Burk. [Frankfurt am Main] : S. Fischer, 1953, [c1950]
Key terms
Names
- Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883
- Bethmann, Heinrich
- Burrell, Mrs. (Mary), 1850-1898
- Planer, Natalie
- Wagner, Minna, 1809-1866
Material types
Using the collection
Location
Music DivisionNew York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor