My dear Friend!
I can tell you in a single line how much joy your dear letter gave me. At least it contains something hopeful, while from all sides until now I have had nothing but misfortune, which I anxiously try to conceal from my wife so as not to worry her. Everything will turn out well in the end; I have had too much hardship on top of a hard year.
Do your best so as to give me courage to live again.
Your news about Lüttichau delighted me. I have had to give up my plans for Karlsruhe entirely. It is very embarrassing for me from the financial point of view to postpone Tristan for such a long time. But if I can safely count upon being called personally to Dresden myself next summer for the performance of my new work, I shall accept this first of all. Aside from that nothing would be left to me but to make a contract with Vienna, where (by an especially influential connection) the possibility of safe conduct has been opened to me. At all events I should enjoy the privilege there of having the Kapellmeister sent to me (as it was in the case of Lohengrin), upon whom I could rely after a meticulous study of the score. Thus I could look forward to a first Tristan performance there even without a personal invitation.
However, needless to say, I wouldn't ask anything better than to fight at your side in this last glorious battle, you dear old comrade in arms. Even the voice of Ney is acceptable to me, but she herself only if I can train her myself.
So let's wait and hope.
Unfortunately, I must urgently repeat my recent request of you. My embarrassment is growing and—until the Tannhäuser performance in Paris—there is nothing in prospect for me. Then certainly everything will be easy for me, even the requested repayment of the loan, if the Vienna matter should be delayed. I confess that I have rarely in my life waited for good news with such eagerness. May Heaven help you! I have just written to Hagen. For I shall soon need money for my wife!
A thousand thanks and greetings from
Your
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 213