[...] The whole "Bülowium" is now with me, you know. He has indefinite leave of absence—for the present, the best form of waiting.—
Yesterday, Draeseke also came to stay for a few days. While my health is good I work on The Mastersingers, and that is a great joy to me. I hope soon to have finished the second act. Performance in Nuremberg next summer. Be ready to receive commissions from me in the matter. You must accept an engagement for the whole period of the undertaking. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 618