The musical work of Richard Wagner is composed of operas or “musical dramas” ranging from “Fairies” (Die Feen) to “Parsifal”. A detailed presentation of each of these major works is associated here with a set of thematic articles, placing them not only in the context of his personal life but also in his social, economic and cultural context. This section also includes all the musical works (excluding opera) and his literary work.
THE BAN OF LOVE or THE NOVICE OF PALERMO, WWV38
Das Liebesverbot oder Die Novizie von Palermo, WWV38
IN SHORT
Grand opera (singspiel) in two acts
Text and music by Richard Wagner,
after Shakespeare’s play Measure for Measure
Premiere:
19th march 1836, Magdeburg, led by the composer
The Ban on Love is directly inspired by the desire felt by the composer for the young actress Minna Planer, his future wife, whom he meets this same summer 1834. It is also a piece in which the composer expresses all his hatred of hypocritical puritanism. Furthermore, Wagner expects from this work the necessary funds to replenish his personal situation.
During the production (March 29, 1836) offered by Wagner in an extraordinary performance for the end of the season of the theatre company from the Magdeburg Theatre, the title will be changed to The Novice of Palermo because the title – too provocative – frightens the mayor. Wagner himself writes about this work: “This music was only a reflection of the influences of modern French music and (for the melody) of Italian opera, on my overexcited sensuality.” The Ban on Love marks a regression in the work of the composer to the Italian French style of opera (one can assess it from the first measures of the Overture to it, the only extract of the opera still sometimes – but rarely – given in concert). Wagner also called his opera “the work of frivolous youth” (Mein Leben).
Manuscript of the sketch by the composer’s hand
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