Dear good Wife,
My opera Rienzi will be given the end of September — that is to say, about 12 days later than originally fixed. — I set this chief item of news at the top of my letter that you mayn't have to read far in uncertainty. Had I got here the commencement of this month, my opera would have been given as early as the end of August; for — only fancy! — the Devrient, Tichatscheck and Reissiger have been back three weeks already, without the least thing being done. It is abominable! On the day of my arrival I did not catch Fischer till evening, at the theatre, and after I had looked at him, could lay no blame on him, — the poor man looks quite pinched and haggard, for his most strenuous activity has singly to make good the laziness of all the rest, to keep business even half going. Now the play-manager, Dittmarsch, has also been ill for some time, and poor Fischer has to stage-manage the Play as well. — To the point, however! The mischief is that Tichatscheck goes to Salzburg for 12 days, not at the end of September — as we supposed — but at its beginning: in fact he starts the last of August. So it's quite impossible to bring my opera out before his journey. However, I have hit on the following plan, and it has met with everyone's approval: — We will begin the study of my opera at once, and if by the end of August we have got through with all the chamber-rehearsals, so that everybody is letter-perfect — then it won't much matter if Tichatscheck leaves us for 12 days. As soon as he gets back, we'll have another week of chamber-rehearsals, to rub off any rust; then will come 8 days of stage rehearsals, so that the opera can be given about the 26th of September, and there will be no more need of a break in its representations. Tichatscheck has begged me to give him a diligent coaching — the Devrient has declared her readiness for anything — and the only obstacle, as all agree, is Reissiger's sloth, which I'll soon remedy! The rehearsals begin next week. — So much for my opera: they all say, "It's lucky you came!"
I have put up here in the same house with your mother, and occupy a room vacated for me by the landlord's sister. They obliged me at once, only it has been impossible to find out what they want for it: "The merest trifle — make no bones about that — it would arrange itself," and so forth. — I don't fancy they'll be grasping. — The first night was awful — although very tired, I couldn't sleep a wink. Beds a mile high, in which I baked; mice, watchmen — a general conspiracy; — yesterday I was a complete wreck, but, for all that, neglected nothing. To-day I have to go to Reissiger at 10, to see to the parts being given out! Just think! — the parts have been in the office a fortnight, for Reissiger to sign — and out of pure indolence the man hasn't arrived at it yet. I have taken steps to get them sent to him this morning; then I shall be there, and he shall sign them in my presence. Then I'll go on to Lüttichau, to get everything confirmed — which will be rather melting work in my black clothes.
Naturally I have been unable to give a thought to our lodgings as yet; I'll commence this afternoon, though. What is to be done with my good Mama, as things have turned, I hardly know: — please write me quickly what she thinks about it. Anyhow I will find her somewhere to alight, and try to get it in the same house as ourselves; only — of course! — for an undetermined period. In any case, I'll write you both, the instant I have found an apartment. —
However, I must hurry up to get this letter off to-day, that you may not have to wait for news too long. —
I enclose a few lines for Dr. Ullrich: — How are things really going? Is the Mama out of bed yet? Grant God that her illness is over! May you only not be short of money! — Write as soon as you can; you know my address. — I found your parents quite well and cheerful — I gave your mother a thaler to lay out — as soon as it is spent, she's to tell me and I'll give her another. —
No doubt you have heard the awful tidings of the sad death of the poor Duke of Orleans! Isn't it horrible? I couldn't help weeping for him. —
God grant us a better ending! In the meantime, though, we'll live another brief half century in health and joy! — farewell, my dear, dear wifie! Heartiest love to my mother, and tell her everything. Farewell and don't forget
Thy good Hubbik.
Regards to Jette! Regards to Turk!
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 1