My very best Mienel,
I feel sure this letter will still find you, which it really oughtn't to have, had you complied with my wish and left Dresden by Thursday morning same date. So listen, dear Child — I'm all right, and have already taken various steps to-day, though I didn't reach my hotel till getting on for 3 in the afternoon. In any event you must come now, for my opera Holländer is not to be till Sunday, instead of Saturday, — it was all a mistake of the secretary's, who wrote "6th" in mere error for "7th." As a fact, it suits me better, for I shall be present at three grand stage-rehearsals this way: there have already been four band-rehearsals, and Küstner has assured me the opera was already going very well. Tomorrow, accordingly, I shall listen and not conduct; but if the conductor doesn't satisfy me, on Friday and Saturday I shall hold the rehearsals myself. From the band's side I've been told fine things already by Conzertmeister Ganz. — Meyerbeer also returned here yesterday; I haven't succeeded in catching him yet; shall try again at 8 tomorrow morning. He may be of great service to me, after all — particularly with the King.
So listen, dear infant! It's no good your objecting any more: — you shall still see Rienzi at Dresden on Friday — if it really comes off; but, Saturday morning you must just arise at half past 4, get to the station at half past five — or half past 6, I'm not sure which — and travel direct in one day to Berlin, where you'll put up at the Hotel de Russie with me; — I have settled everything about the room already. If there is a human possibility, I shall meet you myself at the station; if not — merely ask for the Hotel de Russie's carriage, which will drive you to me; — but I shall be there myself in any case. So — I expect you for certain. Don't go and spoil my great delight! — I have the best hopes of success for my opera. It must have made a hit even at the rehearsals, to judge by Küstner's smirking face. —
Na — you're coming, aren't you?! —
Kindest regards to the good assistant and Tichatscheck. — Tell Fischer I couldn't get back before Tuesday or Wednesday: — ought I to write as much to Lüttichau? Perhaps not! Farewell. Greetings and kisses from the whole heart of
Thy faithful, fond, good Richel.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 14