See, Minel of my heart, already I must write you again, for I've received something to-day of still more value than yesterday's snuffbox, namely a letter from Spohr, from Cassel, which really has made me extraordinarily happy. I'm going to send it to the musical journal at Leipzig at once, that extracts may be printed from it; so I have hurriedly made a copy to send on to yourself, my dear wife. From this copy you may see what great good fortune came my way when just this opera fell into such hands for its production at a second theatre! It has touched me to the quick; everything seems to have combined to give this opera more admirably at Cassel than anywhere else. However, you will be able to judge that from the letter itself. Immediately I had received it, I dressed and called on Fischer, who was as pleased as a child, fell on my neck, and covered me with kisses, crying, "Just as it ought to be! Cassel was the very place for this opera to be brought out next. What luck! Good news; it is good!" — Then on to Heine; the same tale there! — Yes, dear wife, it really is an extraordinary stroke of luck; I'm too delighted — I don't know what I'd take from anyone for these good tidings!! Only, rejoice with me too, dance and shout! have no more fear now; everything is bound to go; and even if it should go slowly — I'm marching with you toward a glorious future, no tinsel fortune, but solid and enduring. —
Now I must go and sound the alarm! Laube is floored already by such successes, as they so flatly contradict his prophecies! Forward, ever onward on my road!
Farewell, my angel, my good Wife! Be glad and merry; luck and Heaven are with us, you see!
Thy Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 7