ABSTRACT
Even the first stanza, spoken rather broadly but well, caused quiet emotion, and with the departure of the muse Carl Friedrich Zelter noticed a better mood within himself and in the house which was perfected by the cheerful song of the spirits. The music manuscripts are fantastic! Johann Wolfgang von Goethe had no specimen of any of the three masters in his collection. Zelter was certain enough of the progress of his music and of his cheerful assistants to direct his attention to the audience. Each time the music, which is frequently rich in felicitous sections, is realized better. Goethe heard no public musical performances on his journey that gave him any pleasure. Zelter would imagine the whole work would be simple enough to stage so that one could comfortably perform the music even where only a small theatre with the necessary apparatus is available.
