My dear Sir:
I still owe you my thanks for your news and only regret that your telegram caused us great excitement. But your last detailed telegram reassured me completely. The more favorable my impression of the matter became according to this telegram, the more strange it seemed to me that I have heard nothing yet about more performances of Die Meistersinger. In the repertory of a whole week there were no Meistersinger. What is the reason of it? Tell me frankly about this. Not a single letter came from Vienna. The alarming reports which caused my telegram were conveyed to me via Munich by a friend. Why do the performances now stop? Seeking an explanation, I begin to think that the management has recognized the weakness of the cast and is trying to improve it. It seems to me that I was wrongly informed about the Beckmesser (Campe) about whom you had already told me. About the unsuitability of Fräulein Ehnn there unfortunately seems to be general agreement. Why did they select such an unsympathetic person for the part of Eva? Also, her singing is said to have made an unpleasant effect, especially in her part of the Quintet in the third act. Could something not be done about this?
About Beck, whom I heard two years ago in Munich, I know that he became unable to perform the part of Hans Sachs. He became rough, stiff, and unteachable, which I much regretted since I thought a great deal of him. Maybe even he should soon be taken out. All these questions occupy my mind a great deal. Do you understand now how important it is to me to get a clear reassuring report, especially from you, for you seem to be in agreement with me on this question! I hope you decide on this, and so oblige me again.
With highest regards,
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 305