[...] I have just lived through a wildly exciting yet magnificent week; Liszt left me only a few days ago. There was a regular storm of talk between us. My delight in this indescribably lovable fellow was all the greater that I found him very robust and hardy, and altogether much better in health than I should have anticipated from earlier days. We had an incredible amount to tell each other, for it was really here we first made each other's nearer personal acquaintance, as before I had only spent an occasional short day with him. The eight days, which were all he could give me this time, were packed so full that I am still almost mazed! In the first few days I lost my voice, so then Liszt had to supply all the music alone; he played inconceivably!—[...]
Now I cannot put up with Zurich any longer. [...]—To-morrow morning, however, I am going away to St. Moritz. If I get through the cure successfully it will be Italy next. I have laid in a stock of well-ruled paper for studies and before the year is over I think the composition of The Rhinegold should be fully drafted. To my very agreeable surprise, Liszt concurred with me in my plan for the future production of my Dramatic Festival. We have settled that it is to take place from spring to autumn one year in Zurich. A provisional theatre is to be built for the purpose and the singers, etc., that I need are to be expressly engaged. Liszt will go to all the four quarters of heaven and get contributions for the enterprise; and he is confident he can raise the necessary money. You will admit we have settled no little between us! [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 1, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 247