Historisch-kritische Gesamtausgabe

Friedrich Maximilian Klinger's (1752-1831) tragedy "Die Zwillinge" (The Twins) is generally held to be one of the most important and dramatically successful stage plays of the Sturm und Drang period. Klinger's own high opinion of the play is reflected in the way he constantly reworked it throughout his life, with the result that there are a number of very different extant versions. This volume is first of all a parallel edition of the first version of 1776 and the reworking of 1792. Further it contains the manuscript variants from later revisions by Klinger and Karl Morgenstern, his authorized assistant, as well as those transcribed from the manuscript of the Hamburg performing version by Friedrich Ludwig Schroeder (1780). The variant apparatus gives access to all authorized versions and the Introduction provides detailed information on the genesis of the play and the history of its publication and reception.

Inspired by the impressions he gained as a member of the entourage of Russian Grand Duke Paul during his trip to Europe (1781–82) and by his knowledge of the Court of Catherine the Great, Friedrich Maximilian Klinger penned the three dramatic texts "The Oath," "The Favourite," and "Konradin," which initially appeared in the collection "Theater" in 1786 and 1787. This is the first volume to provide an edition of and commentary on these texts.

In the years 1786 to 1790, Friedrich Maximilian Klinger wrote his three tragedies that adapt and modify classical stories. In particular the two “Medea” dramas, the originality of which was stressed by Klinger himself, mark an important point in the history of the literary interpretation of this figure from classical times through to the present day. This reprint presents the first edition of the plays and, in a variant apparatus, the deviations in the authorized editions published during Klinger’s lifetime as well as information concerning the creation of the dramas.

Klinger did not include the tragedies Roderico and Oriantes or the comedy Die zwo Freundinnen (The Two Friends) in his own edition of his works. Klinger was employed by the Russian Grand Duke Paul, and his titular characters’ ideas of freedom and justice targeted despotism in the Tsarist Empire. The comedy was inspired by the close bond between two ladies of the court. This new edition makes the plays available once more.

This is the first reissue of Klinger’s fairy tales since their original publication in 1778–80 and 1791: Orpheus, a Tragico-Comical Story and Bambino’s Sentimental-Political, Comical-Tragic Story. Both versions of the text are identical to a great extent. Since the page breaks are noted in the apparatus, the reader can orient him- or herself towards the original publication.

Friedrich Maximilian Klinger's »Geschichte Biafars des Barmeciden« appeared in two parts between 1792 and 1794 and was the third volume in a planned cycle of ten philosophical novels. Though Klinger's engagement with Kant in this work met with a muted response from the critics, 1798 saw the publication of a revised and expanded edition of the novel. The last edition authorized by Klinger appeared in 1816 in the framework of the complete edition of his works. This new publication is based on the 1792-94 version and includes all variants authorized by Klinger. The introduction informs the reader on the history of the novel's inception, transmission, and impact.

Friedrich Maximilian Klinger's »Geschichte eines Teutschen der neusten Zeit« (The Tale of a German Contemporary) appeared in 1789 as the sixth volume of a planned cycle of 10 philosophical novels. It is an important testimony of the author's engagement with, and understanding of, the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and indicates his stance vis-à-vis the French Revolution. This reprint of the text is based on the first edition and is preceded by a detailed introduction discussing the genesis of the novel. A variant apparatus informs the reader of all changes to be found in later versions of the text authorised by Klinger.