In answer to your honored letter of the 23rd inst., inquiring about the fee for the score and book of my opera The Flying Dutchman, I wish to state that I got from Kassel for that opera 20 friedrichsdor, from Riga 15 friedrichsdor, and now from Prague, 100 thaler. From these figures will you be good enough to determine how high the fee should be for a theater of second rank. I think 10–12 louis d'or will not be too much, since the copying of a score in this case would cost me almost as much as the fee.
I also take this occasion to remark that I should like to leave to you the acceptance of orders for my operas, although I don't deem it necessary to bother you with the full commission, since I myself have a permanent and generally known residence and therefore—should the situation arise—would expect you to draw your commission only from the theaters which apply to you.
Will you also kindly tell me where and when I have to pay for my subscription to the Theater-Chronik.
With highest esteem,
Your most devoted
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 54