Faust Symphony Princess Carolyne von Sayn-Wittgenstein, "Anything having to do with Goethe is dangerous for me to handle." However, the final catalyst for the symphony came in a two-month period between August and October 1854. This period coincided with a visit to Weimar by English novelist Mary Ann (Marian) Evans, better known by her pen name George Eliot. Her consort George Henry Lewes was gathering information for his biography of Goethe. During visits to Liszt's residence, the Altenburg, Lewes and Eliot had several discussions with both him and Princess Carolyne about Goethe and his place in German literature. Once Liszt began writing,
Mary Ann Browne Mary Ann Browne Mary Ann Browne (also known as Mrs. James Gray; 24 September 1812 – 28 January 1845) was an English poet and writer of musical scores. Mary Ann (sometimes Mary-Anne) Browne was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire, 24 September 1812. She was the eldest of three children. Though some sources mention Felicia Hemans was her sister, that is not the case. A collection of her verses came before the public when she was only fifteen years of age. Browne wrote "Mont Blanc", "Ada", "Bepentance", "The Coronal", "The Birthday Gift", "Ignatia", "Sacred Poetry", and many fugitive pieces in periodicals. In