[...] The instrumentation of The Rhinegold is now half finished, but only in pencil, and there is still the fair copy to be made. I shall then send it you—the fair copy—in numbers, so that you can quickly make me a pianoforte arrangement—in the first place simply so that I can conveniently play and sing the stuff to people.
—I have had no answer as yet from Sitten, but I hear this much—that the Musical Festival will not take place before July. I tell you the news forthwith! Joachim thinks he may not be able to come—he too is a Philistine perhaps? Call him over the coals.—[...] If only Zurich were not such a nest of scoundrels! I take refuge in my work now, of course, and when I look beyond my own door I ignore all but the lovely scenery—and that dear lady. If you can survive for a spell in such an atmosphere, come when you feel inclined.—[...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 1, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 260