SCHILLER, FRIEDRICH VON (b. Marbach, Germany, 10 Nov. 1759; d. Weimar, 9 May 1805)
One of the greatest German dramatists and poets, Schiller's influence on the theatre and opera of his time was immense. He was also a widely-read theorist whose ideas had a formative effect on nineteenth-century European political and philosophical thought.
In the words of the English writer Thomas Carlyle, "as Schiller viewed it, genuine Literature includes the essence of philosophy, religion, art; whatever speaks to the immortal part of mankind."
Sixteen of his works were used as the basis for operas, many of them by several different composers. Amongst those still in the repertoire are Verdi's Don Carlos, Donizetti's Maria Stuart, Rossini's William Tell and Puccini's Turandot.
Despite Schiller's preoccupation with the pursuit of beauty, he was no escapist. His concerns were the problems of modern life; disintegration of personality in mechanised civilisations, loss of individual freedom, necessity for individual responsibility. He was convinced that art had a vital r├┤le in society, although he saw it as interpretative and reflective rather than directly influential.
