My Dear Old Heinemännel!
Thanks for the friendly sign of life, and be forbearing if I only reply to you with a like sign of life. I still intend to pay a more agreeable visit soon to my old home, friends, and connections; but for that I must wait until a time when many things shall have been definitely, publicly settled, and till I no longer have reason to fear exhaustion through constant narration and answering of questions. My future and final welfare depends upon whether I can bring my manner of life, and consequently my whole disposition, to a state of greater quietude and freedom from excitement. Talking, letter-writing, business complications — these are my life-foes: undisturbed, peaceful creation and work are, on the contrary, my life's preservers. As a matter of fact, I have only wrested to myself this benefit under the escort of unspeakable torments: my settling in Lucerne, where I find a home in the most absolute stillness and retirement, has this for aim. Here I always am only en visite, and I run off the moment the "entertainment" and "distraction" become too much for me.
It would be fine if you came here for the Meistersinger; I would willingly pay the cost of this expedition. Within the next few days it will, at all events, be definitely settled whether we are to have the performance in May, or not till the autumn: this depends upon the hitherto very clumsily negotiated acquisition of the Dresden tenor, Bachmann, who is certainly not my ideal; but, when all is said and done, is still the most promising substitute for the singer I should wish for Walther.
You are altogether in the wrong to write me so many details about a lady singer whom you wish to recommend to me: you assume on my side an interest in these affairs which certainly shows your good opinion of my tenacity. I have nothing whatever to do with the theatre, and this is the fundamental basis of the peace which I have conquered. So long as my nerves hold out, I am present at important rehearsals of my works; but I never attend a performance, and by the time it occurs I am already back among my mountains. In order, however, to appear a wee bit mannerly to you, you good old fellow, I may tell you, with regard to Frl. Blume, that we here have also heard nothing but good of her. But really the more she answers to your description of her the less do we need her; for we already possess in a certain Frl. Mallinger an artist endowed with great talent, while a general utility hack, with staying power, would be a most desirable acquisition.
Greetings to Mamma Heine, and thank her for the delicate herrings and potatoes in Campo Vaccino!
Good-bye, dear old fellow! Come to the Meistersinger. In any case, I will come soon and visit the one-chime-of-bells coasts.
Your true friend,
Rich. Wagner.
Source: Richard Wagner's Letters to His Dresden Friends, Theodor Uhlig, Wilhelm Fischer, and Ferdinand Heine, trans. J. S. Shedlock (Scribner & Welford, 1890), No. 177