Dearest Richard,
It is a sad fate that we have to live apart from each other. I can tell you nothing but that I think of you constantly and love you from my heart of hearts.
Latterly my time has been painfully occupied by all manner of business, visits, work, etc. I have written to nobody, as you may well imagine, because you did not receive a letter from me.
Together with this I send you the score of my Künstler chorus, and between this and the autumn I intend to publish half-a-dozen orchestral pieces, also in full score. By October the Faust symphony will be finished, which also will be published soon afterwards.
Let us leave these trifles alone and speak of your Rhinegold. Have you really finished it? That has been wonderfully quick work indeed. You know how delighted I should be if you would let me see the score. Send it to me as soon as you can do without it.
In the meantime I have not neglected your pecuniary affairs, and hope that my intentions will not be frustrated. Candidly answer me two questions:—
1. Have you pressing debts, and what sum do you absolutely require to meet them?
2. Can you manage to live this year on your present income?
There is a probability that Berlin may come off next autumn, and in that case I shall let you know the little result of my effort in good time. For the present do not speak about it. Dorn was here, and conducted the second performance of his Nibelungen. The work is to be given at Berlin in six weeks.
Brendel wrote several things to me about the Lohengrin affair in Leipzig. In my opinion, nothing further can be done for the moment, and you have every reason to be calm and satisfied. Lohengrin's barque is drawn by a swan; the cackling of geese and the barking of dogs are of no avail.
Berlioz is coming to Hanover at the end of March, and goes from there to Dresden, where he will conduct a few concerts at the theatre. Fischer wrote to me recently about an intended performance of Cellini at Dresden. This is as yet a secret, which I, for my part, should like to see made public very soon. The opera is Berlioz's freshest and roundest work, and its failure in Paris and London must be attributed to low villainy and misapprehension. It would be a fine thing if Dresden were to offer him a brilliant revanche, such as he deserves.
Brendel will publish his book within a few days. When you have read it, tell me your candid opinion. Raff also has finished a stout volume on the "Wagner Question" (!). He refuses to show me anything of it, although he has read parts to several other persons. Fortunately you are no longer to yourself nor to me a question….
Live in your Rhinegold, and think lovingly of F. L.
Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 147