Your splendid programme for the musical performances at Zurich, May 18th, 20th, and 22nd, has made me quite sad, dearest friend. Why can I not be present to make some returns to you for all I owe you? But what is the good of questioning, brooding, and sorrowing? I cannot get away from here before the end of June. Tomorrow (the 20th) we have a grand court concert (the programme is of no interest to you), and ten days afterwards the performance of Moses by Marx, which I have to conduct. On June 15th takes place the jubilee of the Grand Duke, for which his Majesty the King of Saxony will probably come here, and the 20th is the birthday of the Hereditary Grand Duke. On the 26th or 28th I accompany my mother, who is still half lame, to Paris; and by the middle of July at the latest I shall be with you in Zurich. Till then I must have patience, and need not give you any further explanations.
I talked some time ago with the Princess of Prussia about you. The performance of Tannhäuser at Kroll's is variously commented upon. I am still of opinion that the personal influence and ability of Schöneck are in this matter decisive. Since my last letter to Schöneck I have heard nothing from him, but I believe I told you of an offer that was made to me to take the Leipzig opera to Berlin and to conduct Tannhäuser at the Königsstadt Theatre. I have naturally declined this offer.
I hope Schöneck will keep his word and bear the responsibility of an adequate performance of Tannhäuser honourably, thus justifying your confidence. When you hear further particulars, ask him to communicate them to me, as I have been questioned on various sides about this matter, and have warmly defended Schöneck's undertaking against the wavering portion of your friends and the public.
Alwine Fromann was here for some days. I have learnt to love her through you. Your Nibelungen has been read excellently on four evenings at the Altenburg by Counsellor Sauppe, director of the Grammar School, who formerly lived for some years at Zurich. The whole subject of the Nibelungen I shall work out with you in conversation; in the meantime only this: that I am wholly in favour of it, and ask you urgently to take the musical part seriously in hand.
I hear from Prague that Tannhäuser is being prepared there for next autumn. If this is confirmed, the other step which I contemplated will become useless. In any case I shall wait a little while to gain better ground for the matter.
Lohengrin will be given at Wiesbaden, and at Schwerin the Dutchman is heaving in sight. Have you finished the Faust overture? Damm has probably told you that we have given it here several times fairly well. Apropos of Damm, tell him that he can stop as long as he likes. I envy the fellow his good time with you.
This afternoon Louis Köhler, from Königsberg, will arrive here to hear your Lohengrin. Alas! alas! Indra, by Flotow, absorbs all the delicate attentions of our artistic direction; and this wretched medley will be given the day after tomorrow as festival opera. Did you formerly have intercourse with Köhler? I only know him through some very amiable notices of a few of my pianoforte works. His last letter is a kind of dithyramb about Lohengrin, which naturally predisposes me favourably towards the man.
Farewell, you unique man! and may we soon be together.
Let me soon have news of your performances at Zurich, and do not forget to send Brendel a notice of them for his paper. About Brendel, who recently visited me here, I have several things to tell you.
Please God, I may have good news to bring you from Dresden; it is that which keeps me here till the end of June.
Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #3835, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 1, No. 110