Brynhild sleeps; I am, alas! still awake.
Today I was asked, on the part of the Philharmonic Society of London, whether I should be inclined to conduct its concerts this year. I asked in return, (1) Have they got a second conductor for the commonplace things? and (2) Will the orchestra have as many rehearsals as I may consider necessary? If they satisfy me as to all this, shall I accept then? If I could make a little money without disgrace, I should be pleased enough. Write to me at once what you think of this.
How are you otherwise?
Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 169