Objective: to reveal R. Wagner‘s giftedness during his early career stages as an author of scenario plans for his own operas on the example of his two earliest opera projects. Methods: a mixture of historical and biographical methods as well as methodological approaches that have been developed in the new scientific field of libretto. Results: the creativity of the young author is revealed through his first experiences in generating opera librettos. R. Wagner’s composition manner has developed through a meaningful reanalysis of selected first literacy sources on the basis of generalizing previously acquired artistic impressions, real-life experiences, active inclusion of his own creative ideas as well as story motives. This can be regarded as the first steps towards a fundamental interpretation of poetic texts created for mature operas by R. Wagner which represented self-sufficient work and independency in concept. Wagner himself perceived his texts as a separate entity from musical text by calling them “poems”. Scientific novelty: the unfinished opera “The Wedding” which is usually left out when considering the early operas of the composer, written before “The Flying Dutchman” is regarded in the context of literary and theatrical impressions as well as in the context of other sources playing a substantial role in the establishment of aesthetic views and beliefs of a novice author. The opera is contrasted to the first opera project “Fairies”, in which the influence of Orpheus by K. V. Gluck is revealed along with general romantic features. Likewise, plot motifs of the old “Magic Opera” based on the image of Armida were examined, who was the heroine of the epic poem “Jerusalem Liberated” by T. Tasso. Along with this, the main emphasis is placed on specific life circumstances and the perspectives of the entire work of the young author. These emerged through a new conceptual approach in the play-fiaba, originally created by K. Gozzi “The Woman-Snake”, which served as the literary foundation of the opera. Practical significance: the materials of the article can be used in music history courses, the history of opera, can be useful to opera directors, creators of modern opera librettos and composers working in the field of music theaters.
opera, opera libretto, libretto, early work of the composer, musical romanticism
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