My good Mutz,
So everything is taking clearer shape at last, and I am getting my fortunes more firmly in hand again. Accustom yourself to the idea of going on with me from Karlsruhe to Paris, where, as I see more and more plainly, we positively must reside for at least a few years, to reap weighty results for our whole future that are to be won me in this way alone. Thus much is certain, to wit, that it now only needs a longish and unbroken stay in Paris, upon my side, to bring my operas shortly out here. The Théâtre Lyrique is as if ordained by Providence to pave my way to that: they give Mozart's and Weber's operas there with great success, before a public d'élite, and the true Parisian charlatanry is all but wholly absent. The director is a cultured, pleasant gentleman, quite independent, and has only been waiting for my arrival to bring everything to a serious and definite conclusion with me. For a start he talks of Tannhäuser, and quite right too: spectacular operas like Rienzi belong to the Grand Opéra, and as soon as one success is won, that other is sure to follow altogether of itself. All the French who have travelled in Germany know of nothing but Tannhäuser, dote on it because it's something so new and unusual, and whenever anybody breathes my name in Paris now, it always is synonymous with "Tannhäuser." Moreover, there still are great difficulties in the way of Rienzi, which could only be removed in consequence of a success with Tannhäuser. Myself, too, I'd rather fix on Tannhäuser; I very well remember how, when I fancied I could force things better with Rienzi at Berlin, 12 years ago, the reproach was most properly made me by Franck and several others, that I ought to have insisted on Tannh., as this work is in fact more original and shews me at once as a distinct entity, whereas Rienzi doesn't duly correspond to the peculiar expectations raised about me. —
So I have taken the furnishing of a good translation in hand before all else. I see it will cause me incredible labour: a Frenchman really can't do such a thing alone; and nobody has truly helped me hitherto, but all my commissions have either been badly attended to, or more often not at all. Reliance is to be placed on no one, unless I strike in energetically myself; wherefore it now means: Stay in Paris, for some years at least. So I have ordered my translator to my rooms each morning, to grind out line by line with him: the only way to bring it off. This translation is quite the most important business to begin with; for not until it has succeeded, can the rest be fitly taken up. Nevertheless, the matter stands in this way: that I may hope for the production this winter itself; within the next few days I shall have a conclusive interview with the director. —
Having thus explained to you, dear Minna, that it will be needful to decide on our residing in Paris for the present, it is agreeable to me also to be able to put you in heart for it. The neighbourhood in which I'm lodging shews me Paris from a wholly new side: splendid walks within a stone's throw, beautiful pure air, repose and quietness, yet life; the Bois de Boulogne, which has really been quite magically improved, close by; for distraction, if one wants it, such a remarkable city at the back of one, with its heavenly Conservatoire orchestra, its admirable quartets, etc.: I confess I don't know what I could desire better for the next few years, or offer more agreeable to yourself. Besides, we can live as secluded as ever we wish; Fipps will be on an open promenade in a trice, and can dance and run to his heart's delight. Then the certain prospect of considerable money-takings. And all this merely for us to make up our minds to. I have the best hopes of an agreeable dwelling; only I mean to have another good look round first, before determining. All my acquaintances are in the country, even Monsieur Kietz. Only the grandmother Hérold was at home, an uncommonly kind, good old lady: they are to lend me a hand, particularly in finding a female servant. I went to the abode of Hérold the son: it was completely new, had fine big rooms looking directly on to the garden of the Luxembourg, albeit 3 flights up. It costs 2,500 fr.; consequently I expect to get all I want for 3000 fr. at the outside. About that soon, tho', next time.
Under such circumstances, dear Minna, you will quite perceive I don't feel driven to address a fresh petition to the King of Saxony unless he should expressly ask me for it, and under promise of the amnesty. In any case it doesn't press just now at least, and consequently I shall leave this question in abeyance till I've had a last definitive discussion of it with my friends, the Grand Duke, and yourself at Karlsruhe. That's not a long time off, you see; and, having waited until now, the thing can surely stay at rest till then. —
I have been considering what to do, supposing you had an insuperable dislike for Paris. In that case, if the Grand Duke offered me enduring refuge in his capital, perhaps I should have to contemplate our setting up there, and my coming to Paris alone for some months whenever needful. Doubtless that could also be arranged; but what should we gain by it?
I received your Strassburg letter on the very day I wrote to you; for its welcome to French soil I still have to thank you: let's hope 'twill be fulfilled. I am expecting fresh tidings from you soon, which are certain to tell me good news of your condition, aren't they? As with all my changes of address, I have still to write an awful quantity of letters, but am expecting an answer already from Berne about N. Only, in that case you must see to procuring yourself an agreeable feminine companion and attendant. I assure you, there shall be no lack of means for a liberal life, else I would never have offered you Paris. So farewell again, good old wife! Take care of yourself yet, and hope for the best in every direction. Adieu! A thousand heartfelt greetings from
Richard.
I gave Frau Cl. Stockar a kiss, she touched and affected me so by the care she continues devoting to the grave of our poor Peps. A lovely fenced bed above the grave, with a constantly fresh pot of flowers in the middle! Really most touching. —
I am expecting preciser news from Devrient in a day or two, about the date as well; you at once shall hear it all. —
Apropos: if you don't want to go to Kaskel's yourself, it will be sufficient, as he knows you, simply to write him to send you the money consigned you by myself through Rothschild.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 191