I thank you, dearest, most unique of men, for having sent me your scores of Rhinegold and the Valkyrie. The work has for me the fabulous attractive power of the magnet mountain, which fetters irresistibly the ship and the sailor. H. has been with me for a few days, and I was unable to withhold from him the joy of viewing Valhall. So he tinkles and hammers the orchestra on the piano, while I howl, and groan, and roar the vocal parts; this by way of prelude to our great performance at your Zurich palace, to which I am looking forward with longing.
In a week's time I start for Hungary, and my Mass will be performed on August 31st, on the occasion of the Gran ceremony, for which it has been written. For several minor reasons I must, after that, stay at Pesth and Vienna for a few weeks, and shall therefore not be at Zurich till about September 20th. Probably the Princess will come, too, together with her daughter.
Franz Müller will pay you a visit at Mornex about the middle of this month, and will show you his work on the Nibelungen.
The two scores I shall leave here in the keeping of the Princess until you write to her that they are to be sent to the Härtels.
Your idea of becoming a houseowner at Zurich is quite peculiar, and I congratulate you cordially on the building delights which await you.
Dawison told me recently that his starring engagement had enabled him to buy a villa near Dresden. At the same rate, you ought to be able to purchase with your scores at least the whole of Zurich, together with the Sieben Churfürsten and the lake.
Whether Madame Erard will be inclined to dispose of a grand piano on the advantageous terms you mention is a questionable question, which I shall put to her when I have the chance. Try, first of all, to get quite well; the other arrangements will come in due course.
May God protect you.
We are just going together with H. (who wishes to be remembered to you), to have another try at the last act of the Valkyrie.
Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 222