Dearest Friend,
Two hasty lines to you!
You will learn everything from the R.'s except what concerns the Leipzig theatre management; the R.'s must learn that from you! So my conditions for the performance of Tannhäuser were too exorbitant? This is too heavenly not to have amused me! Listen!
I was asked through Sturm and Koppe what my demand for honorarium would be. Thereon I wrote to Rietz that on such a matter I could not treat with a business office, as my chief conditions were of an artistic nature. From the inquiry, however, I see that there is a movement in favour of a performance of Tannhäuser; and as I presume this emanates from Rietz, I perceive in it also the best guarantee for the good artistic character of the proposed performance. On this assumption I therefore willingly consented to the performance, and asked twenty-eight louis d'or, to be paid, however, immediately on receipt of the score (on account of the public exchequer); but mentioned that the question of honorarium was not that to which I attached the most importance. Thereupon I receive no news, and now first learn through you that my (probably the artistic) conditions are exorbitant. What is one to say to persons like Rietz, who find it extravagant if I presume that he will exert himself to secure a good performance? Do let Brendel know this. But perhaps the Leipzig folk will henceforward …
(Do come to me! I have such a longing!)
This story has again quite sobered me down. You must keep the description of the Tannhäuser overture, in case the overture should be performed anywhere. Then the explanation would be to hand.
What are you doing? My Dutchman flies here on the 20th. Sea and rocks are being painted, and ships hammered together, so that everything is in a hubbub. Once again I shall be beset on all sides.
Lindemann has written. An excellent method of cure! I remain here, and compose poetry.
Soon more from your
R. W.
(If I could only see the Berlin painter from Brunnen once more!)
Source: Richard Wagner's Letters to His Dresden Friends, Theodor Uhlig, Wilhelm Fischer, and Ferdinand Heine, trans. J. S. Shedlock (Scribner & Welford, 1890), No. 60