Schießhaus in Bayreuth, Bavaria, Germany — Central Europe
Der Hochadel: Napoleon III., die Kaiserin & Pauline Metternich
The High Nobility: Napoleon III, the Empress & Pauline Metternich
| — | Wo Wagner wohnte / Walk of Wagner | — |
Photographed by James Hulse, May 29, 2025
1. Der Hochadel: Napoleon III., die Kaiserin & Pauline Metternich Marker
Selbst Napoleon machte sich um Wagner verdient - Napoleon III., nicht Napoleon Bonaparte.
Um zum Kaiser zu gelangen, setzte die Frau des österreichischen Botschafters in Paris, Fürstin Pauline Metternich, alles in Bewegung - sogar die mit ihr befreundete Kaiserin Eugénie. Was immer der französische Imperator über den ehemaligen Revolutionär denken mochte: vor dem Charme der Fürstin Metternich und seiner schönen Frau musste auch er kapitulieren. So befahl er, den Tannhäuser in der Pariser Opéra erstaufzuführen. Wir verdanken also ihm und der Fürstin, nach Meinung Martin Gregor-Dellins einer „höchst albernen, leicht erregbaren, aber energischen Enthusiastin ohne tieferen Kunstverstand“, den Auftrag zur Pariser Fassung von Wagners früher Oper, damit auch das spektakuläre Bacchanale und die weit in die Zukunft hineinreichende, neue Venus-Szene. Obwohl die Aufführungen dieser Fassung im März 1861 gewöhnlich als Wagners Niederlage vor dem französischen Publikum angesehen werden, konnte sich der Komponist bei den nicht wenigen anwesenden Kennern in der Musikhauptstadt (u.a. bei dem Dichter Charles Baudelaire) durch seine neue Musiksprache beliebt machen. Davon abgesehen, erhielt er die offizielle Gelegenheit, seine Oper, mit der er nie zufrieden war, an mehreren Stellen beeindruckend nachzubessern.
Bildunterschriften
Links: Herr über die Wagner-Opéra: Napoleon III. (1860). Mitte: „Beschützerin meiner Oper": Kaiserin Eugénie de Montijo (1862). Rechts: Mit den Waffen einer Frau: Pauline Metternich (1854).
Even Napoleon earned merit in Wagner’s story — Napoleon III, not Napoleon Bonaparte.
To reach the emperor, the wife of the Austrian ambassador in Paris, Princess Pauline Metternich, set everything in motion — even enlisting the help of her friend, Empress Eugénie. Whatever the French emperor might have thought of the former revolutionary, even he had to capitulate before the charm of Princess Metternich and his beautiful wife. Thus, he commanded that Tannhäuser be premiered at the Paris Opéra. We therefore owe to him and the princess — whom Martin Gregor-Dellin described as “a thoroughly silly, easily excitable, but energetic enthusiast without deeper artistic understanding” — the commission for the Paris version of Wagner’s early opera, including the spectacular Bacchanale and the far-reaching, forward-looking new Venus scene.
Although the performances of this version in March 1861 are generally considered Wagner’s defeat before the French public, the composer nevertheless managed to win over quite a few connoisseurs in the musical capital (among them the poet Charles Baudelaire) with his new musical language. Moreover, it gave him the official opportunity to revise, in several impressive places, an opera with which he had never been fully satisfied.
Captions
Left: Master of the Wagner Opéra: Napoleon III (1860). Center: “Protector of my opera”: Empress Eugénie de Montijo (1862). Right: With the weapons of a woman: Pauline Metternich (1854).
Erected by Bayreuth
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1861.
Location. 49° 56.724′ N, 11° 34.604′ E. Marker is in Bayreuth, Bayern (Bavaria). It is in Schießhaus. It is at the intersection of Luitpoldplatz and Kanalstraße, on the left when traveling north on Luitpoldplatz. The marker is located at the base of the building along the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Luitpoldpl 2, Bayreuth BY 95444, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Der Tristan-Palazzo: Venedig I / The Tristan Palace: Venice I (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Opernstraße (about 120 meters away); Schlosskirche / Palace Church (about 120 meters away); Ehemaliges Redoutenhaus / Former Assembly and Ballroom Hall (about 120 meters
Photographed by James Hulse, May 29, 2025
2. Der Hochadel: Napoleon III., die Kaiserin & Pauline Metternich Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. E.T.A. Hoffman: Ein genialer Dichter und grosser Musiker / A Genius Poet and Great Musician (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . My tour: Bayreuth yesterday and today. Future History
Discover historic Bayreuth from the turn of the 19th to the 20th century, and see how the sights present themselves today. Our informative city tour takes you from the Tourist Information Center past the Margravial Opera House, to Haus Wahnfried, the New Palace, the Baroque Friedrichstrasse, the City Church, and the Market Square with its many facets. Finally, you return to the starting point via the Old Palace.(Submitted on June 15, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, May 29, 2025
3. The view of the marker along the street next to the building
Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 130 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
