[...] I may possibly bring out an edition of the finished parts of The Nibelungs shortly. I shall give you further details next time. For the present I only want to beg you to undertake the promised revision or simplification of the pianoforte arrangements as speedily as possible. You would very greatly oblige me if you could get The Rhinegold ready next and very soon. Please send it to me then via Germany. Of course there is no hurry about Young Siegfried at present. I am really afraid of the sending back of the draft scores of the first act. I think after all it would be best if you were to keep them till next year and perhaps bring them to me personally. I hope to have finished Tristan by Easter.
The Grand Duke of Baden has contrived that I may go to Germany for a first performance of this new work. I should then go to Karlsruhe, where out of gratitude I should have to allow the first performance to take place. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 372