[...] I have been in Karlsruhe for a couple of days. The lovely weather showed me the pretty little place in a most appealing light. With my Parisian alp piled upon my heart, I looked longingly at the possibility of being able to settle down snugly there. The Grand Ducal pair received me twice, and on each occasion we held spirited conversation for about an hour and a half. The impression made on me by this reception was very satisfactory, and in particular the absence of any sort of affectation made me feel at home.—But, most reassuring of all, was that I came easily to an understanding with Devrient. I was in a good mood and knew how to soften the leatheriness of his nature. Even now I am unable to withhold my regard from this curious man, and the realisation that I could quickly and completely cast a spell over him was a cause of real joy to me. Accordingly, there was something more than adroitness in my dealings with him, as I handled him gently and attempted to spare him any humiliation. He probably believed that behind his back I would settle the affairs of Tristan with the Grand Duke, but, instead, I could tell him that at my first interview with the Duke I had only expressed my wish in general terms and said I felt I ought to formulate nothing more definite until I had come to a detailed agreement with Devrient. Naturally he seemed very pleased by this, and we discussed and settled everything which I was to lay before the Grand Duke, as agreed between Devrient and myself, at a second interview. The Duke was very glad to learn that the opera was to be performed as soon as next September. [...]
[...] My main difficulty now is to choose my singers, to induce and make it possible for them to undertake a two months' engagement of this kind. Consequently I am on the point of going to Vienna to hear Ander and Dustmann preliminarily. Of course, I should have gone long ago, but unfortunately I was unable to straighten out my finances sufficiently to embark on the journey. [...]
Things happen most oddly between myself and Liszt! Sure enough he is to come here just after I leave! [...] I should really like to know how I could ever have been anything to Liszt! He has other and more abstruse standards of doing and leaving undone than I, poor plebeian, can appreciate.—
I am on pins and needles to scrape a little money together and be able to get away. The opera at Vienna is coming to an end and if I do not arrive there within the next week I have no prospect of hearing anything good. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 488