Wagner's Letters

Richard Wagner to Franz Liszt

September 19, 1848 · Dresden

Overview

Wagner informs Liszt that Tannhäuser will be given at Dresden on 24 September and that a piece from his new opera Lohengrin will be heard at the orchestra's tercentenary jubilee concert two days earlier. He would gladly welcome Liszt and Princess Wittgenstein on either occasion.

Letter

Most esteemed friend,

Although I dare scarcely hope that you can act upon it, I hasten to let you know that Tannhäuser is announced for performance here on Sunday next, September 24th.

On Friday, 22nd, there will be a jubilee concert of our orchestra in celebration of its existence for three hundred years, and on that occasion a piece of my latest opera, Lohengrin, will, amongst other things, be heard. According to a previous arrangement, I consider it my duty to let you know this, and should certainly be very glad to welcome you, and perhaps Princess Wittgenstein (to whom please give my best compliments), on these occasions, although I must fear that my news may come at an inconvenient moment.

Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #3835, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 1, No. 9