My good old Mutz,
Everything finally looks more certain, and I now have a more secure hold on fate. You must accustom yourself to the idea of coming with me to Paris from Karlsruhe, for I now see increasingly clearly that we must live here for at least a few years in order for me to lay the foundations for our whole future, foundations which I can establish in no other way than this. This much at least is certain, that I now need to remain in Paris for an uninterrupted period in order to ensure that my operas are performed here within the near future. The Théâtre-Lyrique seems destined by Providence to pave the way for me here: the operas of Mozart and Weber are performed there, with great success, before a select audience, and the charlatanism that is typical of Paris is almost entirely absent there. The director is a well-educated, pleasant and noble-hearted man, and totally independent; he was already waiting for me here in order that the two of us may reach a serious and definitive agreement. There is talk of starting with Tannhäuser, and for good reason: show-pieces like Rienzi belong in the Grand Opera, and once we have gained our first success, this other work will follow as a matter of course. All the French people who have travelled in Germany know only Tannhäuser, but they all rave about it, precisely because it is so new and so unusual, and whenever my name is mentioned in Paris now, it is in the same breath as “Tannhäuser”. There are still great difficulties in the way of Rienzi, and these can be removed only when Tannhäuser has proved a success. I, too, prefer to start with Tannhäuser. After all, I still remember all too clearly what happened in Berlin 12 years ago when I thought I could force the issue better with Rienzi; Franck and many other people were quite right to reproach me for not having insisted upon Tannh. since this work is more original and makes me appear as an exceptional figure, whereas Rienzi does not really meet the specific expectations of me that have now been roused in people. -
My first priority has been to take in hand the necessary arrangements for a good translation. I can see that I shall have an incredible amount of work to do here: no Frenchman can do it on his own; and absolutely no one has helped me, rather have my commissions been carried out badly or not at all. There is no one who can be relied on, unless I myself take energetic action; and that is why it is now a question of remaining in Paris, at least for a few years. And so I have instructed my translator to come to my house every morning, in order for me to work on the text with him, line by line: only in that way can we achieve anything. This translation, however, is the most important thing initially; only when it has turned out a success can a proper start be made on the rest. Yet even as things stand, I may still hope for a performance this winter. I shall be meeting the director within the next few days to decide on the matter. -
Now that I have explained to you, dear Minna, why it will be necessary to spend some time in Paris, at least initially, it is a pleasant task to be able to put you in good spirits for such a stay. The area in which I am now living shows me Paris from a totally different angle: splendid walks in the immediate neighbourhood, pure clear air, peace and quiet, and yet life as well; the Bois de Boulogne, which has now become utterly enchanting, close at hand; and if one wants to relax, it is such a remarkable town, with the heavenly Conservatoire Orchestra, and excellent quartets etc. behind one: I confess that there is nothing better I could ask for in the foreseeable future, nor anything more agreeable that I could offer you. In addition, we can live quietly on our own, just as we like: Fipps can be taken out without a lead, and can run about and chase things to his heart’s content. In addition, there is the firm prospect of considerable revenues. And all this will be ours simply for the asking. I have excellent hopes of finding a pleasant apartment: but I want to have a good look round before deciding. All our acquaintances are still in the country, even Monsieur Kietz. Only Grandmother Herold was there: an uncommonly kind and good-hearted old lady. These people are to lend me a helping hand, especially in my search for a good maid-servant. I visited her son’s apartment; it was quite new, and had large attractive rooms and an uninterrupted view of the Luxembourg Gardens, but it is on the 3rd floor and costs 2500 fr. I imagine I shall get everything I want for 3000 fr. at most. Well, more on this next time.
In such circumstances, you will no doubt realize, dear Minna, that I am in no hurry to send a new appeal for clemency to the King of Saxony, unless he himself expressly invites me to do so and agrees to an amnesty. At least there is no immediate urgency here, so that I shall leave this question unresolved at least until such time as I have conferred with my friends in Karlsruhe, including the Grand Duke and you yourself. There is not long to go until then: and now that we have waited so long, we can afford to let the matter rest a little longer. -
I have considered what would have to be done if you were to conceive of an insurmountable aversion to Paris. If the Grand Duke were to offer me permanent asylum with him, I should ultimately have to think about settling down there, and I should have to come to Paris on my own for months at a time. This, too, might work out in the end. But what would we gain by it?
I received your Strasbourg letter on the same day that I wrote to you. I am grateful to you for welcoming me to French soil; I hope your good wishes are fulfilled. I expect to hear from you again soon, and am confident that you will have good news to tell me concerning your state of health? I still have a dreadful number of letters to write, as always happens when I change my address. But I am already expecting an answer from Berne concerning Natalie. You, too, should look round for a female companion and nurse whom you would find acceptable. I assure you there will be no lack of means by which to lead a life that is free from cares; otherwise, I should not suggest Paris to you. And so, fare you well for today, my good old wife! Take care of yourself, and hope for all that is best in everything. Adieu! A thousand cordial greetings from
Richard.
I gave Frau Cl. Stockar a kiss, so deeply was I touched and affected by the care she continues to lavish on the grave of our good Peps. A most beautiful, fenced-in bed of flowers over the grave, with a fresh bunch of flowers in the middle! Really most touching! -
I am expecting a detailed report from Devrient during the next day or so, including the date: you shall be told everything as soon as I hear from him. -
By the way! If you do not wish to go to Kaskel in person, it is sufficient for you simply to write to him, since he already knows you, and ask him to send you the money that I have transferred to you through Rothschild.
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 246