Dear Minna, things are at once going and sticking. I am annoyed at having to send you another empty letter to-day. There's the fullest prospect of my being quite helped out of the hole by Weimar, though, and also enabled to provide for you poorest soul completely. Under the title of an immediate purchase of Tristan and the Meistersinger they have asked me, on direct behalf of the Grand Duke, for my requirements; I have framed my answer in such a way that — unless a total change of front appears — I may hope to be quite satisfied shortly, probably within the next few days. Don't be cross with me for having wanted to await a certainty ere writing you: it gives one such pleasure to be able to present oneself with a good conscience and full hands. However, I really mustn't keep you waiting any longer for a somewhat more detailed report. —
Things here stand passably; undeniably full earnest with the Tristan! Yesterday we had the first complete rehearsal. Ander is shewing himself quite brisk and up to the mark: which has its reason. Hitherto things were still of a complexion in which I could put no trust at all; so — with very great difficulties — I contrived the engagement of Schnorr for next January, whereby I'm at least certain of perhaps 6 performances from about the 10th of January on. That had its due effect on Ander too; so it's possible I may shortly have two Tristans.
I had thought of giving concerts also in the second half of January, but people have advised me to begin as early as December. It is the same with me here as everywhere; the envy of the craft is intense, and they do their best to keep me off. So it will be well, and have a good influence on the Tristan practice also, if I shew myself as soon as possible in all my glory as conductor, etc. Moreover, it will do my exchequer good; for — I see plainly again — I shall lose my whole personal authority with the higher officials here directly I begin to dun for money. I must wait for them all to come to me, nay, behave as if it were no present concern of mine. — Under such circumstances I shan't know whether I'm on my head or my heels before long, and you will have to overlook it if you receive nothing save the briefest notes on main points.
Touching Foreign Affairs, the Weimar ones are in rather a ticklish phase for me. What the Grand Duke can give me alone will not suffice for my requirements; a sphere of action with such paltry means would be quite impossible to me — who couldn't have taken up with Opera stationarily even at Berlin or Vienna — and none but bad results would arise, both for me and for him, if under pressure of want I accepted. On the contrary, I adhere to it that the three related Highnesses, of Baden, Prussia, and Weimar, should combine to allow me a pension of 3000 thlr., in return for which all three could have me for extraordinary occasions. We'll see what comes of that. — I have to be all the more circumspect now, as it concerns a last decision for my lifetime; for — something extraordinary may easily be compassed with Vienna also; whilst I can't and mustn't bind myself to any place in permanence, or — it's all up with unproductiveness.
My God, what I should like best of all, would be that rich old lady of Ingelheim; but one must go to work very gingerly there, as she — naturally — is most mistrustful. It must all come as if of itself; and that has now been capitally led up to. — All else is constraint, with great harm and vexation to follow. —
Really, dear Minna, I have nothing against the Walpurgisstrasse, but the tidings received there haven't led to much: e.g. the 100 fl. for Ollmütz preserve dead silence. — The Hamburg letter, on the contrary, brought a great stupidity: the management, having lately given Herr Gounod an ovation with be-laurelling for his Faust, invited me to let myself be similarly fêted at their theatre, for which purpose would I be so kind as to conduct my Tannhäuser in return for travelling expenses and full board? I have replied that, since the Hamburgers had be-wreathed my friend Gounod already, I would accept that honour as simultaneously conferred on me, and thank them for the board and travelling expenses. —
On the other hand I have had an invitation from Petersburg, to conduct Philharmonic concerts there. Under circumstances, that might look more like; but it won't fit in. — There — you know pretty nearly all about me now, and can answer people's questions.
I thank Klare very much for having stayed on so much longer. Best greetings to the Dresdeners. If I get time, I'll send a note to Klärchen also for the Schnorrs; but believe me, I am terribly rushed: to say nothing of proof-correcting, prefaces, and so forth. So, to full hands soon, good Minna! Behave yourself, and be good to
Thy Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 263