[...] There is now a prospect of all the help I want from Weimar, so I shall be able to provide for you fully also, you poor thing. In view of an immediate purchase of Tristan and The Mastersingers, they have, by the explicit orders of the Grand Duke, asked my terms. My answer was such that—unless some great change suddenly occurs—I may hope shortly—in the next few days probably—to have all settled to my satisfaction. [...]
Things here are bearable. People, no doubt, are quite in earnest about Tristan! Yesterday we had the first full rehearsal. Ander is quite fresh and keen. There is a reason for this. Hitherto, conditions have been such that I could feel no confidence at all. So—with very great difficulty—I contrived to get Schnorr engaged for January next, which at least definitely ensures me some six performances from about January 10th on. That had its effect on Ander, and it is possible I may shortly have two Tristans.
I thought of giving concerts in the second half of January as well, but I have been advised to begin as early as December. It is the same with me here as everywhere else—the jealousy of the profession is extraordinary, and they do their best to choke me off. It will be a good thing, then, and have a good influence on the Tristan rehearsals, too, if I show myself as soon as possible in all my glory as conductor, and so forth. Besides—it will be good for my exchequer! For I see again that I shall lose all my personal influence over the higher officials here as soon as I begin to press the money question. [...]
As to affairs abroad, the state of things in Weimar is pretty troublesome for me. What the Grand Duke can give me by himself is insufficient for my needs, and, moreover, I should find a sphere of action so poorly endowed quite impossible—for I would not confine myself even to the Berlin or Viennese Opera—and it could have only bad results both for me and for him if present necessities should incline me to accept. I persist, on the contrary, that the three mutually related Sovereigns of Baden, Prussia and Weimar should unite to allow me a pension of three thousand thalers, in return for my services to each of the three on special occasions. We shall see what comes of this.—I must be all the more circumspect now, as this is a final, lifelong decision which I have to make. Besides—something extraordinary may very likely emerge in Vienna. I cannot, and I must not, tie myself down wholly and permanently to one place—for that would make an end of my capacity for production. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 544