Klopstock, Friedrich Gottlieb

discussing Hermann und die Fürsten, a copy of which he encloses [not included here], adding that he will send him the third volume, Hermanns Tod, as soon as it has been printed, noting that the copy he sends him of Hermann und die Fürsten contains additions which no one else knows about, explaining that a composer [presumably Friedrich Kunzen] has set the songs contained in it and that it is now ready for performance, exploring the possibility of giving the first performance of the work in his correspondent's theatre, mentioning Hermanns Schlacht and the Emperor [Joseph II] to whom he dedicated it, observing that although the latter is no less interested in the stage, it never occurred to him to perform that 'poem of the fatherland', referring to a journey he proposes to make to Karlsruhe with his nieces, noting that the Countess Stolberg refers to him as the 'eternal youth', explaining in some details his requirements for his journey and asking him for a good travelling carriage and horse; in the closing passages of the letter, as well as raising other matters, Klopstock indicates that he intends to visit en route the Landgrave of Homburg, whose intention it was to erect a memorial to Hermann [Arminius] in the vicinity of his battle

...Ein Komponist, der schon vor einem Paar Jahren viel versprach, hat jetzo, durch die Setzung der Gesänge dieses Bardiets, noch mehr gehalten. Das Gedicht wäre also zur Aufführung fertig. Ew. Durchlaucht haben eine Schaubühne. Auch kön[n]ten Sie, dachte ich, wenn es nötig wäre, von Manheim Hülfsvölker kommen lassen. Aber vielleicht wäre es gerathener, die Aufführung Liebhabern anzuvertraun... 



4 pages, 4to (23 x 18.9cm), pencil annotation to third page, Hamburg, 28 February 1787, vertical and horizontal folds, a few small stains; together with the draft of a letter in an unidentified hand, ascribed in pencil to Klopstock in another hand, dated Karlsruhe, 28 April 1787, 2 pages 

Not in Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock: Briefe 1783-1794, ed. Helmut Riege (Berlin, New York, 1994) 

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."

A wide-ranging letter, unpublished in the critical edition of Klopstock's letters.

Written a few months before Klopstock's 1787 journey to Kiel and Eckhof, this remarkable letter reveals the poet discussing one of his major works, the trilogy of semi-dramatic works or "Bardiete" - Hermanns Schlacht [1769]; Hermann und die Fürsten [1784]; and Hermanns Tod [May 1787] - celebrating the exploits of the ancient German hero Arminius who, in 9 A.D., destroyed three Roman legions in the Teutoburg Forest.