[...] It is true that I have made it up with Devrient, for he has proved to me that Ander simply invented the whole of that conversation with him which vexed me so. But—but! theatrical fry are theatrical fry and whether it was Devrient or Hülsen, it is all the old story; the attitude of the musical directorate here is the same to a hair's-breadth as it is everywhere else! In the end I sat through the performance of Tannhäuser like a meek lamb on the sacrificial altar and let the whole thing pass over my head while I secretly vowed—never to get myself into such a position again! [...] Work, writing, and these to practical ends—that is to be my recreation and sole comfort, but let them spare me the performances. The lack of talents and ideas is much too evident, and if I were to interfere constantly, I should simply make enemies on all sides and worry myself to death. No! Rest—Solitude—otherwise I cannot hold out!—
Well, I shall try again with Lohengrin if Schnorr comes, but with Madame Howitz as Elsa!!—certainly not; I have said as much. Devrient declares she is excellent. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 521