Poor, dear friend,
It is all most regrettable what you have to tell me! - Not only can I not blame you, I must even advise you to address yourself, as soon as possible, directly and in writing to the King, informing him of your request for dismissal: do this as though you wanted to tell him the plain truth (as is your intention), and hoped to be able to serve the King by carrying out to the letter my artistic directives and instructions; instead of which you have found it impossible to obey the orders of an intendant whose total ignorance is matched only by his opposition to everything that emanates from me. Lay the whole emphasis on this!
I still hope that, in the end, the King will be able to retain you: otherwise, things will certainly not be easy for you in Munich. Entreat his favour and ask that, in recognition of your exceptional and responsible achievement in the case of the “Rhinegold”, he should allow you to remain in His Majesty’s pay until the vocal score of “Siegfried” is completed. But perhaps it would be even better if you were to say nothing of this for the present, but to leave me to settle this point in person, depending on what the King’s reply turns out to be.
As for the rest, however, you have completely misunderstood me, my dear Richter, if you think I did not want you here with the three singers. On the contrary, your presence is most important to me. There is only one thought that I have in mind with their entire production, namely that the score be performed in a correct, accurate and lively manner. Scenery - and acting - all this I abandon: but the music must be beyond reproach: at least we shall then have saved the most important thing! Most of all I should have preferred it if the whole performance had taken place without scenery and costumes.
And so - I expect you as soon as possible. - There is of course still time, since I have just read that the performance has been postponed until the 29th.
In any case it would be good to see you again and speak to you!
Sincere good wishes for today from your own
Richard Wagner
plus all the hangers-on at Triebschen.
I am reopening this letter in order to bring it into line with the telegraphic despatch that I subsequently decided to send you. For I am of the opinion that you should send your request for dismissal before you arrive here: it cannot arrive quickly enough if we are to enjoy any (possible) benefits from it.
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 382