Strauss, Richard

containing a complete draft of a newly-composed trio for the final scene, the characters named as "Iph[igenie]", "Pyla[des]", "Oreste" and a chorus of Greeks, with the words "Iphigenie...o welch ein holdes Gluck", the vocal score notated in pencil on up to eleven staves per page, twenty-five bars of music in all, with the composer's stage directions at the beginning ("Die Scythen stehen stumm da, rechts vorne u. blicken erstaunt den nächstfolgenden zu...") and at the end ("Schluß erster Theil Orchester allein das erste Mal. Die Priesterinnen bringen Dianas Bild aus dem Tempel in feierlichem Zuge...")

2 pages, oblong folio (c.27 x 25.5cm), 14-stave paper, glazed on both sides, [Weimar, September c.1890]

Trenner no.161; RSQV ID  q00301; N. Del Mar, Richard Strauss. A Critical Commentary on his Life and Works, volume 2 (1969), pp.353-356 

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."

This manuscript represents Strauss's earliest operatic composition.  His arrangement of Gluck's Iphigénie en Tauride (1779) was written for the Weimar Court Theatre in 1889-1890, thus predating his opera Guntram by four years. The exact date of the first performance of Strauss's Iphigenie auf Tauris is not known.  Strauss composed this trio to precede the final chorus, sung by Iphigenie, Pylades and Oreste. The plot relates to the story Strauss was later to use in Elektra.  Having killed his mother Clytemnestra, Orestes has fled to Tauris, pursued by the Furies, and is captured by the Scythians.  He is condemned to be sacrificed by Iphigenie, the High Priestess of Diana.  However Iphigenie recognizes him as her brother and Diana descends to save him and send him to rule in Mycenae, taking Iphigenie with him. 

This trio replaces a brief arioso in Gluck's opera, where Oreste expresses his thanks to Diana. The composer also provides information for the ensuing chorus in his version, which is also considerably shorter than in Gluck's original.  Strauss uses some of Gluck's musical themes, notably the descending demi-semiquaver motif in Diana's recitative scene which precedes it.  He was to use the same technique when he came to arrange Mozart's Idomeneo in 1931.