Dearest of friends,
A request!
I am hard at work and am hoping to have finished the poem of my “Valkyrie” within the next 2 weeks. I shall then be in urgent need of some form of relaxation such as a holiday, the more so since I should prefer not to finish my final poetic work, the great prelude, here in Zurich, where the monotony of these familiar surroundings oppresses me, and tiresome visits generally put me out of humour. I must go up into the Alps and get at least a taste of Italy’s frontier where I may be able to stay for a while. But I cannot afford such extravagances on my ordinary income. For next winter I have a few extra receipts to look forward to: (Tannhäuser in Leipzig and presumably also in Breslau.) Above all, however, I am counting on the receipts which you will provide me with from the flying Dutchman in Weimar. No doubt I may reckon on 20 to 25 louis d’or? How would it be if you provided me with this sum by way of an advance?
If Ziegesar is not yet back in charge of business, I should prefer not to approach the box-office directly for this advance on my fee: but there may perhaps be some well-meaning individual who would not refuse you this sum by way of an advance? At the same time you yourself would be the best guarantee that the revenues in question would actually accrue, since your enthusiastic zeal will certainly ensure that the flying Dutchman is performed this coming winter in Weimar. - This advance would be a source of great pleasure to me!! - But - I need the money before the end of the month at the latest! See if it is possible to arrange this!
My Valkyrie (1st drama) is turning out to be terribly beautiful! - I hope to be able to submit the entire poem of the tetralogy to you before the end of the summer. The music will then proceed very easily and quickly: for it is simply a question of carrying out what is already finished.
Fare you well! Send me word soon about how you are! Has the Imperial Russian Tannhäuser come off yet? Are you now having great problems with your music festival? I wish you every success, and hope that it gives you pleasure!
As ever
yours
Richard W.
Is it true that it will be the turn of Tannhäuser in Munich next winter? It is news to me. It would certainly not be to Herr Dingelstedt’s discredit if he had such a plan in mind! -
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 144