[...] The difficulties which from my point of view stand in the way of the publication of the music of my latest work, Parsifal, and also the reasons adduced to persuade me to take special action in the matter, are now known to you. It remains now to indicate the simplest way to an agreement between us. [...]
My main object is to prevent any theatrical performance of Parsifal outside Bayreuth. [...]
A pianoforte arrangement of the first act is already finished and at your disposal for printing. The whole will be complete by the end of this year. We still need the full score to transcribe the parts, nevertheless up till the time of the performance (at latest) this too is entirely at your disposal.
I would set the price at one hundred thousand marks, plus the cancellation of all my remaining debts to you. [...]
Should you incline to think my terms excessive, will you please consider the example of the English publisher, who felt justified in paying Herr Gounod 100,000 francs for an oratorio! I feel that my last and, I believe, my best work may well compare favourably with that of the somewhat faded French maestro! [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 725