Large and rare assemblage of 473 German playbills of the Sächsische Staatsoper Dresden Semperoper from 1898 to 1902 put together in an album which was presented to Richard Rübsam (Berlin 1870- 1931 Berlin) on the occasion of his 25th year anniversary as professional opera singer in 1916.
The printed pamphlets represent a large selection of mostly 19th century operas and operettas, mostly by German composers such as Johan Strauss, Richard Wagner, Giacomo Meyerbeer , Carl Maria von Weber, Friedrich August Bungert , Ludwig van Beethoven, Otto Nicolai, Conradin Kreutzer, Robert Schumann, etc.
Other composers include Guiseppe Verdi, Ignaz Brull , Gioachino Rossini, Pietro Mascagni, Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns , Bedřich (Friedrich) Smetana, etc.
The collection starts on January 29th 1898 with Kirke by August Bungert and ends on August 28th 1902 with the opera Oberon by Carl Von Weber.
These playbills offered to Richard Rübsam represent most
likely all his performances while at Dresden:
“Richard Rübsam was taught by his parents, among others, sang in concerts from the age of 18. He made his debut at the Aachen Municipal Theater in the role of the king’s herald in Lohengrin in 1891 and was engaged in Sonderhausen from 1892 to 1895 and in Posen (Poznan) from 1895 onwards; he was a member of the Dresden Court Opera from 1897 to 1902. Rubsam later worked in Reichenberg (Liberac), Halle (Saale), Konigsberg ( Kaliningrad), Essen and the Charlottenburg district of Berlin. “ (Walther Killy et all; Dictionary of German Biography).
Album composed of 473 individual programs, measuring each approximately 38 x 21 cm.
Set bound in early 20th century burgundy cloth binding. Cover with the title in gilt “Das Dresdener Hoftheater 1897-1902”. End leaf with manuscript inscription detailing provenance of the set.
Condition: In overall good condition despite fragile items, some defects such as leaves browned, a few tears, small losses of paper and repairs. Some playbills trimmed. Binding tired and with cracked joints.