[...] Belloni is now here, as you know. He talked much of Paris to me again and I find to my amazement that you still have plans of world conquest for me in your head! Oh, you indefatigable man! To be sure, I should have nothing to advance against a translation of Tannhäuser [...]—I admit it would not be a bad thing. Herwegh, too, is working upon me in favour of this Paris scheme. He wants to prepare a (very colourful) prose translation of the poem. Well, I cannot think seriously of it as yet!—
My "Preface to the Production of Tannhäuser" has already made the Leipzigers abandon the opera—a very discreet sign of the recognition of ill-will. On the other hand, I am glad that Schindelmeisser in Wiesbaden has recommenced the study of my opera from the beginning after reading my pamphlet.—[...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 1, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 228