The "Theatre-maker" Ferdinand Raimund
The "Theatre-maker" Ferdinand Raimund
Disciplines
Arts (30%); Linguistics and Literature (70%)
Keywords
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Ferdinand Raimund,
Edition Philology,
Viennese Popular Theatre,
History of Theatre,
Austrian Drama
Research on the theatrical career of Ferdinand Raimund is a pressing desideratum within literary and theatre studies. The numerous comparisons of his Zauberstücke (magical plays) with Johann Nestroys parodistic and satiric Possen (farces) have consistently turned out to his disadvantage, and the efforts towards an edition of his works exhibit the conspicuous context of political identity. Raimund has always been important for both the historical awareness of the Biedermeier period and the search of an Austrian identity. This can also be observed in the previous editions of his works, which intended to present Raimund as an Austrian poet and not as an actor or theatre practitioner. While the previous editions and surveys intended to portray Raimund as an Austrian dramatist whose poetical view sometimes collided with his professional duties at the Viennese suburban theatres, the project wants to focus on the theatre-maker (Theatermacher, HEIN/MEYER 2004) whose achievements should be examined within an international perspective. Therefore, an interdisciplinary methodical approach which connects basic research in edition philology and history of theatre will be chosen. On the basis of the new historical-critical edition, which will be finalised within the project (vol. IV: Die Unheil bringende Krone, Der Verschwender; vol. V: letters and documents), research on the actor, stage director and theatre manager Ferdinand Raimund will be carried out. The edition of the original concepts (Originalhandschriften) and later play manuscripts and prompt books promise new insights into Raimunds working process, as well as his specific ideas on staging. Especially the play manuscripts of his unexplored guest performances outside the Habsburg-monarchy (Munich, Hamburg, Berlin) will serve as important sources for a detailed investigation. Due to the finalisation of the historical-critical edition and the basic research in history of theatre, the image of Raimund as an Austrian poet will be complemented with the exploration of the theatre practitioner. Therefore, the project will acquire new findings on the circulation and cultural transfers of theatre as well as of the theatrical networks within the first third of the 19th century.
- Universität Salzburg - 100%
- Walter Obermaier, Universität Graz , national collaboration partner
- Ulrike Tanzer, Universität Innsbruck , national collaboration partner
- Werner Michler, Universität Salzburg , national collaboration partner
- Johann Sonnleitner, Universität Wien , national collaboration partner
- Stefan Hulfeld, Universität Wien , national collaboration partner
- Fred Walla, The University of Newcastle Australia - Australia
- Matthias Warstat, Freie Universität Berlin - Germany
- Meike Wagner, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München - Germany