M. Bruch. Two partly autograph sources for the opera "Die Loreley", 1863

Max Bruch

Two partly autograph and partly scribal sources for the opera Die Loreley

comprising:

1) Partly scribal, partly autograph full score of the opera in three acts, WITH OVER 180 PAGES ENTIRELY IN BRUCH'S HAND, and other autograph additions by Bruch to the score in pencil and ink

2 volumes, 373 (Act I), 228 (Act II) and 204 (Act III) pages, plus blanks, folio (33.5 x 24.6cm), with autograph titles to each act ("Die Loreley. Grosse romantische Oper in 3 Acten, Dichtung von E. Geibel, Musik von Max Bruch. Partitur...Act I...; "Loreley. Act III. Partitur"), stamp of "Fr. Kistner & C.F.W. Siegel Leipzig" to inside covers, with some additions in blue and red crayon, contemporary calf-backed boards with partly printed, partly manuscript labels ("Loreley. Actus 1mo:"; "Loreley. II & III. Act."), the second volume dated at the end by Bruch "Mannheim, 22. April 1863", staining to corners, some gatherings loose, spines becoming detached, covers worn

2) Two orchestral parts (violin II and violoncello) used for the premiere of the opera in June 1863, in scribal hands, WITH AUTOGRAPH REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS BY BRUCH, INCLUDING ONE PAGE OF REVISED MUSIC FOR THE VIOLONCELLO WHOLLY IN BRUCH'S HAND, with later additions in red and blue crayon 

2 volumes, folio (c.33 x 26cm), stamps of the Mannheim opera house, cloth-backed blue wrappers with manuscript labels, the parts dated at the end by the scribe "Mannheim den 28 Mai 1863" (violin II part) and "Mannheim den 21.^t. Mai 1863" (violoncello part), staining to corners, a few small rust stains to outer margins, old repair to one torn page of violin II part

Composed to a libretto by Emanuel Geibel, Die Loreley is one of Bruch's most significant works. It was first given at Mannheim in 1863, three years before the famous G-minor violin concerto op.26. 

The first item here represents an important Bruch discovery, the only autograph material hitherto known for the opera being the full score of the overture, significantly not contained here, which was sold in these rooms on 14 July 2020 (lot 13). A set of twenty-three orchestral parts used for the premiere of Die Loreley in June 1863 was sold at auction in these rooms on 1 December 2020 (lot 15).

LITERATURE

C. Fifield, Max Bruch: His Life and Works (1988), pp.41-46