# Oper und Drama (1851) publishes a public theory of music drama as copyable German prose

Date: 1851

## The fact

In 1851 Oper und Drama was published as a public treatise on music drama.

It is one event.

## Context

A treatise can teach composers and can become scripture. Split 1876 cult.

[Richard Wagner](/people/richard-wagner)’s documented role is bounded by other offices and collaborators named in the sources below. Sharing a field with them is not a reason to drop a documented act, and it is not a reason to assign later consequences done in the name after death.

The 1851 treatise is his exile prose. Printers issued it. A theory book is an education object even when later used as dogma. Split cult.
Named person as heading of the dated public instrument. Later editors, museums, printers, or offices share publication. Complex where later carriers date the row.

## Evidence and sources

Gutenberg/collected-writing public texts and Britannica independently date Oper und Drama 1851.

Official or archival record: Project Gutenberg — Richard Wagner (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/372; Project Gutenberg).

## Significance

A public theory book increased copyable access to a reform of opera as drama.

1851 is not 1850 Judenthum.

A public theory book increased copyable access to a reform of opera as drama.

## What is established and what is not

Established: 1851 Oper und Drama as a published treatise. Not established: that 1851 already had a Festspielhaus.

What would change the picture: a contradictory original with a different date or name, or a measured series that can be argued, with lag and alternatives, as a consequence of this instrument rather than of later institutions.

The date is the date of this instrument, not a licence to back-date every later harm or benefit.

Established here: a sourced, dated public instrument with a named contribution by Richard Wagner.

What would change the picture: a contradictory original with a different date, signatory, or non-occurrence; a demonstrated forgery; or a measured series that can be argued, with lag and alternatives, as a consequence of this instrument rather than of other causes.

They are not a public rating.

## People

- Richard Wagner: https://factrail.ai/people/richard-wagner

## Drivers

- Digital Learning Access: https://factrail.ai/drivers/edu-digital-learning-access

## Sources

- https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/372
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Richard-Wagner-German-composer

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/facts/wag-opera-drama-1851