Wagner's Letters

Richard Wagner to Wilhelm Fischer

July 22, 1851 · Zurich

Overview

Brussels wants to perform Lohengrin, so Wagner asks Fischer to present an enclosed formal letter to Lüttichau and obtain the Intendant's copy of the score for the thirty-six thalers' copying cost, the money to come from Frau Ritter, or else to have Wölfel copy it. He also asks that the Tannhäuser Act III introduction be copied in its altered form.

Letter

Dearest Brother Fischer,

Again a telegraphic despatch! Do not be angry! In Brussels they wish, with the energy of the very devil, to translate and perform my Lohengrin. I shall take all precautions that nothing foolish is done with it. Now I want, as quickly as possible, a score. So be kind: go to L. with the enclosed formal letter to you, show him the lines written specially for the purpose, and request him in my name to hand over to you the score of Lohengrin under the conditions therein named. When Uhlig once asked him for the score, L. desired something in writing from me to himself. Give him to understand that I had hinted to you that I thought it impossible L. should desire a letter from me to himself, as he, as well as I, must surely feel how painful that would be. Then let me know the result of your trouble, so that we may proceed farther. If L. lets you once for all have the score for the copying expenses, thirty-six thalers, you might send it off (naturally unfranked) to the following address. (Stop, no! Only let me know, and wait for further instructions from me!) You ought to receive the money from Frau R., Waisenhausstrasse, No. 4. If L. will not give up the score entirely, but only lend it for a copy to be made, get Wölfel to attend to this copy as quickly as possible. (With the money the same arrangement holds good!)

You were right again in your hesitation about Tannhäuser. Of course the introduction to the Third Act must be copied from the altered form; if you will besides mark down the cuts and abbreviations with pencil, you will put me under great obligation.

Good heavens! some one is waiting for me; so I must be brief! Do not be angry with me for bothering you so! A hundred thousand greetings to Heine — best thanks for your brotherly care — and farewell for to-day.

Your

Richard Wagner.

(In my official letter to you I treat you according to old custom: I thought you would deem that best.)

Source: Richard Wagner's Letters to His Dresden Friends, Theodor Uhlig, Wilhelm Fischer, and Ferdinand Heine, trans. J. S. Shedlock (Scribner & Welford, 1890), No. 104

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