Musicologica Austriaca (Jul 2023)
Spatializing Music Histor(iograph)y: Exhibiting Guido Adler’s Musico-Historical Model at the International Exhibition of Music and Drama, Vienna 1892
Abstract
The International Exhibition of Music and Drama, Vienna 1892 was the only World’s Fair that was dedicated to exhibiting the development of music and drama history. The event’s conception follows the typical framework of nineteenth-century International Exhibitions. However, to a certain extent, Vienna 1892 was unique because of its attempt to display the music history of Europe and beyond. Therefore, this article investigates the showcasing of music histor(iograph)y in the Musikhistorische Abtheilung (musico-historical section) at Vienna 1892. First, it puts emphasis on Guido Adler’s role as the main curator and how he adapted his musico-historical concept of periodization to fit the spatial configurations of the exhibition space. Second, it renders a closer inspection of the interiors that were dedicated to composers. By using different concepts from cultural theory, the article examines the exhibition’s display practices, (visual) narratives, and arrangements of objects. previous article back to index
