Wagner at Home

1911. With nine illustrations. French author and writer on music, daughter of the writer Theophile Gautier. Judith was an enthusiast for Wagner's work from an early age. Gautier first met Wagner in 1869 and though she was involved with another man, Wagner began pursuing her. Their relationship may or may not have been consummated, but they continued to conduct a clandestine and intimate correspondence until 1878. Wagner claimed he needed the intoxication of at least her spiritual presence, as well as the silks, satins and exotic perfumes she obtained for him in Paris, in order to compose Parsifal. Her intellectual contribution to Wagner's work consisted of a translation of Parsifal into French, various writings on Wagnerian topics, and a three-volume memoir of the composer.