Theatrum Lyricum

Theatrum Lyricum was published in Germany in 1749 when the book market was still dominated by Latin publications written for scholars and the aristocracy. This book provides writing and composition instruction to playwrights through sample passages and useful vocabularies. However, books of this lofty sentiment had a limited audience due to the changing taste of the rising merchant class, who sought vernacular German plays that validated their world-view and values.