My dear Co-worker!
At this moment I have no more direct cause for writing you than the one arising out of the very pleasant remembrance of our last meeting.
I feel impelled to repeat more clearly upon paper what I said to you verbally when we parted. It is truly a great joy for me to have found you! A great share of the success of my undertaking is now assured by your co-operation. I was genuinely encouraged to find you so closely acquainted with my intentions. You understand perfectly what is at stake, and this you would not be able to do did you not possess the necessary imagination and genuine inventiveness required here. Certain directions which you specified to the architect really surprised me; the extension of the proscenium was an inspiration on your part, which crowns the entire idea of the interior of the theatre.
As I thought over all this again to-day, it became an absolute necessity to express to you the great confidence you have inspired, as well as my genuine joy at having found you. May you receive this in an equally friendly spirit!
Within the next few days I expect definite news as to the outside participation in my undertaking.
In the meantime I have received deputies from the “Wagner Societies,” who have reported quite encouraging news. Without doubt everything will work out all right, and you also, esteemed friend, will find your reward in a proper appreciation.
With cordial greetings,
Yours sincerely,
Richard Wagner.
Source: The Story of Bayreuth as Told in the Bayreuth Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Caroline V. Kerr (Small, Maynard and Company, 1912), No. 3