Der amerikanische Diplomat und Universitätsgründer Andrew Dickson White besuchte im Jahr 1880 Deutschland und wurde Zeuge von zwei kulturellen Ereignissen, die noch heute für deutsche Theaterkultur stehen: Oberammergau und Bayreuth.
White zeigte sich fasziniert von Oberammergau, dessen religiösen Ernst er lobte und angewidert von Richard Wagners Gralsopern, denen er eine gewisse Künstlichkeit anmerkte. Aus Whites Einschätzung wird nicht nur die Mentalität des Amerikaners deutlich, vielmehr auch die allgemeine Einschäztung der beiden Kulturerscheinungen.
In dieser Studie wird dargelegt, wie die beiden Festspielorte Bayreuth und Oberammergau aus der Sicht eines Zeitgenossen beschrieben werden und wofür sie standen.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Andrew D. White as a visitor of Oberammergau and the Bayreuth Festival
- Appendix I: Transcription of A. D. White's letter from the passion play to his mother
- Appendix II: Reproduction of a letter to his friend George Burr (quotation in the text)
- Appendix III: Autographs and dating White's and Krausskopf's
- Appendix IV: Photos
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text explores the experiences of Andrew D. White, a prominent American statesman and historian, as a visitor to the Oberammergau Passion Play and the Bayreuth Festival in 1880. It examines White’s perspective on these German cultural events and his thoughts on their significance in the context of the late 19th century.
- American reception of German festivals
- The impact of German culture on American intellectual life
- The evolving nature of the Oberammergau Passion Play in the 19th century
- Andrew D. White’s engagement with German history and culture
- The role of the arts and culture in shaping societal values and beliefs
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter, titled "Andrew D. White as a visitor of Oberammergau and the Bayreuth Festival", delves into White's experiences during his visit to Germany in 1880. It highlights his interest in German intellectual culture, particularly the Reformation and the history of witchcraft, and his extensive collection of German books. The chapter also explores White's critical perspective on the developing trend of semi-religious cultural events, viewing them as characteristic of the fin-de-siècle.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key terms and concepts explored in this text include: Andrew D. White, Oberammergau Passion Play, Bayreuth Festival, German culture, American reception, fin-de-siècle, Reformation, witchcraft, history, intellectual culture, cultural events, semi-religion, tourism, and the evolution of cultural institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Andrew Dickson White?
Andrew Dickson White was a prominent American diplomat, historian, and the co-founder of Cornell University who visited Germany in 1880.
What was White's impression of the Oberammergau Passion Play?
White was fascinated by Oberammergau and praised the religious seriousness and earnestness of the performance.
How did White view the Bayreuth Festival and Richard Wagner?
In contrast to Oberammergau, White was repulsed by Wagner's Grail operas, noting what he perceived as a certain artificiality in the performances.
What did these festivals represent in the late 19th century?
They represented the "fin-de-siècle" trend of semi-religious cultural events that shaped German theater culture and intellectual life.
Why is White's perspective significant for historians?
His accounts provide insight into the American reception of German culture and how these events influenced American intellectual and societal values.
- Citar trabajo
- Holger Reiner Stunz (Autor), 2007, Passionate Pilgrimage and "Painful Disenchantment", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/120564
