Quotes from book
Opera and Drama

Name: Opera and Drama
Author: Richard Wagner

Opera and Drama is a book-length essay written by Richard Wagner in 1851 setting out his ideas on the ideal characteristics of opera as an art form. It belongs with other essays of the period in which Wagner attempted to explain and reconcile his political and artistic ideas, at a time when he was working on the libretti, and later the music, of his Ring cycle.

“The error in the art-genre of Opera consists herein: a Means of expression (Music) has been made the end, while the End of expression (the Drama) has been made a means.”

Richard Wagner book Opera and Drama

Opera and Drama (1851)

“The oldest, truest, most beautiful organ of music, the origin to which alone our music owes its being, is the human voice.”

Richard Wagner book Opera and Drama

Opera and Drama (1851)