Barthold Feind
Barthold Feind was a notable German playwright and theorist active in the early eighteenth century, born in Hamburg to a schoolteacher and his wife. He initially pursued a legal education at Wittenberg and the University of Halle, completing his studies in 1703. Feind's literary career began during his student years, producing poetry, translations, and comic obituaries, with one of his significant works being "Geöffnete Schaubühne der fürnehmsten Welt-Weisen und deren Gesellschafften," published in 1702. Although he established a law practice in Hamburg, Feind spent much of his time traveling and engaging in journalistic endeavors, often writing satirical libretti that critiqued political dissidents and their leaders. His outspoken political involvement made him a controversial figure, leading to his exile until 1708, after which he returned to Hamburg and resumed both his legal career and literary contributions. Despite a decline in the quality of his later works, Feind's influence remains significant, especially in the realm of German opera, where he is recognized for introducing Venetian opera translations to the German stage and emphasizing opera's role in conveying deep emotions. Feind passed away in 1721 in Germany.
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Barthold Feind
Playwright
- Born: November 23, 1678
- Birthplace: Hamburg, Germany
- Died: October 15, 1721
- Place of death: Hamburg, Germany
Biography
Barthold Feind was an early eighteenth century German playwright. He was born in Hamburg to a schoolteacher and his wife. In 1699, Feind attended Wittenberg to study law. He moved to study at University of Halle, where he finished his study of law in 1703. His earliest known works are from his years as a student. He wrote poetry, translations, and comic obituaries. One of Feind’s important works, Geöffnete Schaubühne der fürnehmsten Welt-Weisen und deren Gesellschafften, vom Anfange der Welt bi� auf gegenwärtige Zeiten, a survey of ancient and modern historical figures written in alexandrines, was published in 1702.
In 1703, Feind set himself up in Hamburg as a lawyer, but he spent little time there and instead traveled around Germany and neighboring countries. In the years following his return to Hamburg in 1704, Feind published many pamphlets, was involved in other journalistic activities, and wrote very successful libretti, most of which were satires of political dissidents and their leaders. As a result of his involvement in the political and cultural events of Hamburg, Feind was one of the most famous and most disliked figures of his time. Dissidents eventually forced Feind into exile until 1708.
Feind returned to Hamburg after the council removed the rebels from power. He resumed his law practice and continued to be involved in the city’s politics. While Feind continued to write libretti and poems, his later works are not considered to be as strong as his works previous to his exile. Feind died in 1721 in Germany. He is best known in contemporary times as a theorist of German opera and was credited for bringing translations of Venetian opera to the German stage. His works stressed the importance of opera as a medium for expressing passion.