Dearest Minna,
People begin coming to me at 8 in the morning, Lord knows! I can't stir, and am merely jerking off a couple of lines to you now while three visitors are talking together in my room.
Saturday we had Fliegender Holländer. Quite irreproachable, superb performance! Public exactly as at Lohengrin again. I had buried myself in a parquet box, not to be seen; but that availed me nothing. After the overture I was compelled to ascend the stage to bow my thanks; 3 times after every act, 5 or 6 times after the last, when I was obliged to say something again. An incredibly hearty, sprightly folk; Princes and Counts in the boxes, too, all shouting and applauding with the rest. — Well, I really have something to crow over!
They wanted to give me Tannhäuser the day after tomorrow — the 22nd — but I have declined that: firstly, the Wolfram isn't well cast — just now; then, Esser isn't conducting; I'm afraid of not having such a satisfactory performance, and — I don't want to challenge the public to a similar demonstration again. On the other hand, a fête is to be given me by Strauss; probably I shall refuse that also. So soon as everything's settled about Tristan, I think of starting back at once, presumably tomorrow evening, so that I shall be en route on my birthday. —
Tristan is to be given here the 1st October; I shall arrive here the 15th August. — All are heaven-appointed for it! Nowhere shall I find similar means.
Now don't be vexed with me, good Minna, if I break off short: the disturbance is too great. I shall be back with you a week from to-day, in any case. I must bring everything to a head at Carlsruhe also; I shall write you thence again.
Adieu, be of good cheer! Best greetings to our friends and the house!
Ever thy good Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 207