My dear good Wife, I'm simply longing to be home again; God only grant I may find all safe and sound! My affairs here are ended for the present, and I'm really only staying on to-day to see the Lind in Norma and at last redeem my promise to spend an hour with the Frommann and Professor Werder. Tomorrow, Saturday, I go to Leipzig, where Hermann has arranged a little party in my honour; and at 11 on Sunday forenoon — if God doesn't dispose of me otherwise — I shall be at Dresden, with you!
Not to leave you in the dark till my arrival, my dicky-bird, I'll tell you briefly the result of my endeavours: —
1. Küstner wants to give my Rienzi in September next,
2. Count Redern wants the King to give me the commission to compose my next new opera for Berlin. To produce one of my operas here between now and Easter, is impossible, as I have convinced myself. Redern, at whose house I dined in brilliant company last Wednesday (instead of at the Frommann's, to whom I therefore had to send regrets —), wished to arrange for me to read my new opera-text Lohengrin to the King himself. For that, however, I should have needed to remain here all next week at least, since the King left yesterday with Redern etc. for the chase, whence they do not return before Monday.
Mme Meyerbeer, who surprised me by great cordiality and interest, considers Redern's plan, that I should get Royal orders from Berlin for my next opera, the best of all; her husband returns at Christmas, when everything is to be set to rights. If Rienzi can still be brought out in the interim, so much the better: Küstner has pledged me his word of honour, and struck hands on it; but whether Küstner himself will still be Intendant after Easter, is very doubtful. —
I'm merely telling you the most important news; much else by mouth! Now grant God I find you safe and sound!
Farewell, my good Minna! to our speedy reunion!
Thy Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 20