Paul Ricoeur 1913-2005

"There would then certainly be the need to distinguish -- between the arts of one time and the arts of two times, those where the existence of the work coincides with its creation -- painting and sculpture, for example -- and those where the existence of the work requires a second time, which is that of its recreation: theatrical representation, musical execution, choreographic realization beginning with the writing of a libretto, of a score, of a script. One could then ask what is the status of a ballet, or of a musical score when they are not played, while awaiting their performance. It is perhaps here, in this indefinite capacity to be reincarnated, and in a way each time historically different, but substantially and essentially founding, that the profound signified of the libretto or of the score occupies the status of the sempiternal. "