The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-09
@sIy Life.

BY Richard Wagner, In two volumes
Dodd, Mead & Co. of New York SIS
net.
The publication OF an authorized
translation OF the AUTOBIOGRAPHY Of
Richard Wagner, through the enter
prise of an American publishing house
marks a distinct epoch in the history
OF the years literature. The work ap-
pears in two large volumes with copies
from two Wagner portraits, as frontis-
pieces. one of these was done by +
Kietz in 1912. and the other by the
painter. Lenbaoh. thirty years later.
in 1872.
Musician, dramatist and poet. wrg-
ner. the creator of the music drama.
stands by himself in the world Of art
and equally, with Goethe and Ma
po!eon. belongs to universal history.
The value OF the WaEnerian autobiog-
raphy depends moreover not more
upon the story 1t tells of vivid per
sonality and great lie. than OF q
revolution in the world of music. the
memoirs being actually compiled be.
tween the years 1865 and 1878 by Wcc-
Ter. from a diary which he kept The
period covered is from 1878 to 1864
a letter from Wagner to hts sister
IN 1857 mentions the fact that he is
debating the story OF his life to his
friend and patron. King Ludwig OF
Bavaria. TO avoid the danger of loss
or destruction to so valuable a record
few copies We're privately printed AT
Easle. the printer being pledged to
secrecy. The present work is based on
one OF these comics. now in possession
OF the Wagner family.
The record touches many phases OF
Wagner's MANY sided life 1t presents
him as the musical director of a Ger
man provincial theatre, as suffering
want in Paris, as shtpwrecKed in the
North Sea, as depressed or exalted in
London. as the founder of the Festival
Playhouse at Bayreuth. and as re-
refving Kings and Emperors as his
guests.
In the first volume there are chan
TIERS ON Wagner's childhood schooldays
and musical studies Wagner writes
with loving respect of his stepfather.
Eeyer. who had a great influence over
him. and did much 10 mold his views
on art. Incidental mention is made
Of an occasion when Wagner appeared
IN a piece Occasion by Weber Der
Weinberg ander Elbe.' In a tableau as
child's part in Kotzebue's "Menschehass
und Rene. in Dresden The auto
biography. in relation TO Wagner's
early musical development saws that
the first thing of Weber's heard by
Wagner was the "Huntsmen's Chorus =
military band The overture to
'Fidelio" caused him TO make inquiries
rs to who Beethoven was. and the
strains of Mozarts requiem" brought
that famous composer to his knowl-
edge. Period /, telling Of Wagner's
travels and first marriage. as well as
his visit TO Paris, closes with the year
1912. The second period, from 1912
80 1850. is concerned 9TH Dresden,
and takes the read r. from "Rienzi''
and The Flying Guichman" to Tam
hauser and 'Lohengrin." Leading mus
1cal giants with whom Wagner is
brought i:do contact during this time
are SGnumann, Spohr, List and
Mar.ohren. An exciting narrative de
..l-.ibes the famous May instruction
in Dresden and Wasner's flight by
way of Weimer and Zurich.
The second volume brings into no.
tice the Wescndouoks, important fac
tors in Wasners Development It
also contains accounts OF his visits to
London. Paris and Vienna and of the
performance of "Tannhauser" in Paris
Lightened up with many a lively
anecdote-for. in spite of his gloom and