Actors and Acting in Eighteenth-Century Germany

There were many types of stage performers working in German-speaking lands during the eighteenth century, predominantly French actors and Italian opera singers, whose performances were highly favored at German courts. However, when referring to actors in this book, I am primarily interested in the German actor employed in the performance of German-language, spoken drama. This is a crucial distinction, especially when discussing the material conditions of actors. Though still not considered respectable associates in polite, courtly society, these actors commanded much higher fees for their services and therefore enjoyed a considerably higher standard of living than did their wandering German counterparts.1