Dear Minnikins,
They are trying to make it hard for me to leave. Yesterday evening the orchestra and the whole of the very large audience gave me a brilliant ovation. I was warmly received the moment I appeared, and the Beethoven symphony caused a sensation, but then, right at the very end - after the Oberon Overture - the orchestra rose to their feet and gave me a tremendously long and loud round of applause, and, at the same time, the entire hall burst into applause that went on and on, so that, caught between the orchestra’s increasingly loud clapping and the audience’s ever more furious applause, I scarcely knew which way to turn. Finally, I had to resort to a dumb-show in which I entreated people to stop clapping and go home.
I finally made my point, albeit with great difficulty. But now the handshaking began: the entire orchestra of around 100 players insisted upon shaking hands with me individually, and as they filed past me, many affectionate scenes took place. But there were also members of the audience who crowded around me, and I had to let them all shake me by the hand, men and women, it was utter confusion. In short - I was moved by it all, because I was finally made to realize that people have come to like me very much. I am inclined to think that the behaviour of my little Queen contributed a good deal to this undisguised outburst of emotion. Indeed, there was really nothing in the least affected about it. It was a tremendous demonstration against the Times and the other critics. And that has never happened before; never have the audience and orchestra shown such independence. - And so I am really leaving London as a hero after all, and much honoured into the bargain. -
The Pragers, Sainton, Lüders, Klindworth and - Berlioz with his wife drove back home with me, and we remained together, over a bowl of champagne punch, until 3 o’clock in the morning. - I have finally got to know Berlioz very well, and I am delighted to be able to say that we are now the best of friends. He is really an amiable - but very unhappy man. -
Today I have the very devil of a headache, and I now have to start packing. I shall be meeting my friends once again for dinner at Prager’s house; then, at 8 o’clock, I shall be off. -
And so - dear Minnikins, - until we meet again, - when I hope we shall both be in a good mood. Fare you well, and may you share in my feeling of satisfaction!
Your
good Richard
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 189