Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Felix.

comprising two autograph pencil drawings, the first being a plan of the theatre in Berlin ("Plan des Berliner Theaters zur Antigone eingerichtet") with Mendelssohn's notes on the layout and stage arrangements provided in a key using the letters 'a' to'z', the second showing a view of the stage from the auditorium; below the drawings, in ink, Mendelssohn writes, on a hand-drawn stave, the first eight bars of the 'Frühlingslied', Lieder ohne Worte, Op.62 no.6, and below this a signed inscription ("das ist aber nicht aus der Antigone. Sondern zum Andenken an manche frohe Gesellschaft und den ganzen frohen Aufenthalt im Frühling und an Ihren Dankbaren Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy 1842", 1 page, folio (33 x 26.3cm), no place, the musical quotation dated 1842, light browning to edges



...ab Curtain and line of Proscenium
   cd Scene representing Palace
   x Altar to Bacchus
   aeb Orchestra 5' above the floor
   ab 5' above the orchestra
   fg,hi Steps leading to the stage
   kl, mn Steps leading to the orchestra
   yz The usual limit between the orchestra and the first rows of stalls
   yopz Space for the instrumentalists [translation]

Felix Moscheles, trans. and ed., Letters of Felix Mendelssohn to Ignaz and Charlotte Moscheles (London, no date), p.xix  

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

From the collection of Charlotte Moscheles, and never before now offered at auction.

This is a stunning album leaf, combining an autograph musical quotation from one of Mendelssohn's most celebrated works, the "Frühlingslied [Summer Song]", no.6 of Lieder ohne Worte, Op.62, with two drawings relating to the staging in Berlin in 1841 of Sophocles's Antigone, for which Mendelssohn had supplied the incidental music. The first performance of the play with Mendelssohn's music had taken place at the King's Palace in Potsdam on28 October 1841, before a select audience. Mendelssohn's drawings, one a bird's-eye view of the stage, the other a view from the auditorium - and both of great theatre-historical interest, relate to the later staging of the play in Berlin.