11 - Weimar: the later dramas

Summary

Wallenstein was first performed in its three separate parts at the Weimar theatre and was the first production of one of his own plays that Schiller could feel corresponded to his dramatic conception. Goethe, for his part, was extremely keen to secure the play for the Weimar theatre and the playwright's cooperation in its staging. Rehearsals of Wallensteins Lager began in October 1798. Schiller attended the final rehearsal on 11 October and the première took place the next day. The prologue was written specially for the reopening of the refurbished theatre and was spoken by Heinrich Vohs, the actor who subsequently played Max Piccolomini. Costumes and staging were colourful and harmonious and the audience, Schiller believed, was entertained.

Whereas preparations for Wallensteins Lager had been left largely in Goethe's hands, Schiller actively supervised the rehearsals for Die Piccolomini, moving with his family to Weimar for five weeks from early January 1799. However, the strain of rehearsals and the more active life he led in Weimar by comparison with his semi-reclusive state in Jena made him reduce the level of his involvement towards the end of the rehearsal period. On 30 January Die Piccolomini was first played to a packed audience. In fact it comprised the first two acts of Wallensteins Tod as well, for it was only for the book edition that Schiller decided to move the break back to the end of the first long encounter between Max and Octavio. Wallensteins Tod was first performed on 22 April, Die Piccolomini having been staged again on 20 April. Both plays were well received and Schiller was pleased with their success.