Dear old Friend!
You wish a few lines "for reassurance"?
Best friend! I long ago became reassured about the fate of my works and all that is connected with them. When I was forced to give in to your own explanations and admonitions about the mutilation which was deemed necessary for my Meistersinger, I told you clearly enough that I'll have nothing more to do with all this at the expense of my work. But from that time on I also decided not to worry any longer about anything of this sort. I now consider the matter as if it no longer concerned me at all. If you now have reason to complain about the "time-beater," Rietz, I've had the same reason for a long time, ever since this musician, who is a complete stranger to the opera, was called to Dresden through your own recommendation and against my warning! Moreover, I'm completely unclear about this matter and cannot see the actual motivating reasons. That Mitterwurzer was cast as H. Sachs confuses me: to be sure, some years ago, when I was planning the whole thing, I had thought with pleasure of a man as peculiarly talented as Mitterwurzer; more recently I heard that he was losing very much ground and could no longer be trusted with anything. I therefore would have thought of using him elsewhere in the opera. Now so much the better if his voice is still sufficient: for—he does have talent. (Pardon the sow!—Have you seen my hog yet?)
Now, old fellow! Nothing more remains to be said except: think of what you've accomplished for so many years to the astonishment of the world! Besides—take me as an example! Where should I have to begin if I wanted to ask for justice? Also, I shall always have this to tell you, that you were the only one who defended the Meistersinger in Dresden! Farewell and stay faithful to your old friend
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 300