[...] As to ourselves, let me tell you that things are going very well and hopefully. On May 22nd we lay the foundation-stone of the theatre. The town of Bayreuth has bestowed a wonderfully fine site for it. Well, this winter will show how the rest will prosper. People are all very encouraging as to results. Whatever happens I shall abide by my plans and feel quite confident of attaining my goal, though perhaps not so soon as I thought. I still set my hopes confidently on 1873.—I have begun the composition of the last act to-day and hope to have it finished by Easter. I may also have enough time to begin the orchestration of the whole, and in any case the whole score will be completed in the course of the year. You will be amazed—there is such a lot in it! [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 651