[...] Knowing your sympathy and devotion, I feel I may attribute to you yet another virtue which is lacking in the few other friends with whom I have been intimate of late, namely, precision. When it is a question of exact and punctual accounts of things in letters, I cannot rely on Cornelius. My friend Standhartner and Dr. Liszt, who is associated with him in looking after my affairs here, recently proceeded in a way to make me very doubtful either of their capacity or their intention of carrying out my wishes! To get accurate information, therefore, I turn to you.
The first sign of life I received from Vienna since I left it, came from O. Bach. His letter touched me deeply, and with an eye rather to his suitability as mediator through knowing the right people than to his own means, I suggested that he should enable me to return to Vienna by raising funds (later to be repaid) to cover the bill which falls due on the 30th of this month, and which Tausig, among others, has backed. [...]
My principal object was to be able to return immediately and take up my work. As my Penzing quarters were still unlet, I got from a friend here the sum requisite to pay the half-yearly rent in advance. In addition I took steps to come to an agreement with my publisher [Schott], on terms which will provide me with the means of livelihood till The Mastersingers is finished at the end of this year. On this basis, I only awaited notice of the settlement of this business of the bill, to return and at once resume my work amid the domestic comforts of my house, which are so helpful to me (although I am quite willing to consider changing it for a smaller one). I informed Herr Dr. Liszt of my intentions and told him that I would send my house-rent to the landlord at the proper time: I have now actually done so. Whereupon I heard yesterday that my two attorneys have thought good to conclude a settlement with my landlord in order that they might be able to sell my furniture for some trifling sum! The ostensible reason for this proceeding was to make it impossible for one of my creditors to take legal proceedings and have it sold up, but the actual reason was chiefly to get a little ready-money to satisfy the same creditor, with whom, for the matter of that, there have been no negotiations as yet, and who was not expected to present himself till the 30th of the month! [...] I could have been sure of conducting the matter on satisfactory lines had I negotiated with these people personally, and I recognise my mistake in leaving Penzing at that time. I ought to have remained. One thing, at any rate, would then have been certain—the first act of The Mastersingers would have been finished by now. [...]
You will see from all this how very important it was for me to be able to return to Vienna with all speed, the reason being the necessity of planning for the completion of The Mastersingers at all costs. Here, where I am now, I can find shelter only for a short period. Where am I to go? There is no house to which I can go where I should find the conditions necessary to attune my mind for work, because, for one thing, an entirely strange environment distracts me. I am at last becoming very much aware of one principal need, musical society, that is to say frequent intercourse with musicians in sympathy with me, who will understand without difficulty when I discuss my work with them; also I need a pianist.
Now from this point of view my little circle of friends in Vienna was all I could wish for. You know that circle, and are indeed at its centre. For me it is a possession which I cannot easily replace elsewhere. I am determined to cling to it, despite the worst of bad luck with regard to my other possessions. [...]
[...] Please collect information about summer residences, furnished or unfurnished according to circumstances, in Dornbach, Nussdorf, etc. (only of course not in Hietzing or Penzing). My chief demand is to be secure from piano-playing close at hand. It is possible you may be so fortunate as to find the right thing at once. If so, take it at once, having regard to this main point. [...]
Understand me, my dear Heinrich. It is of supreme importance to me to be able to return soon. [...]
My sole object in this is The Mastersingers. I must finish it this year and if possible perform it early next year in Vienna. For this purpose, too, I need to be active and on the spot.—
And now, please do not misunderstand me if I beg you urgently to keep my arrangements with you a secret. You can initiate O. Bach, but on the same condition. But tell no other of my friends! I have quite definite reasons for this. Besides it will only turn out well if very few know of it. Cornelius is a terrible gossip and that leads at once to the matter being discussed in and out, which I do not wish. After all, no one will help us. My return to Vienna must be a fait accompli for everyone else; a joy to most of them, no doubt, which we intend to prepare for them. [...]
I can never tell all that I have gone through. The fact that, after it all, my one idea is the completion of The Mastersingers, is significant. But I feel that a puff of wind may overset everything. Something must go as I wish now or I shall go to pieces. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 570