My esteemed Sirs!
The decision of the two Councils of the city of Bayreuth—by the terms of which the ground necessary for the building of a Festival Theatre, together with the roads and grounds belonging thereto, on the chosen location in the vicinity of St. George, are placed at my disposal free of charge—contains for me a cause for especial gratitude, which I beg of you to express most cordially, in my name, to the highly esteemed gentlemen of both Councils.
Although my most sanguine expectations led me to hope for nothing more than a friendly reception, which would enable me to choose Bayreuth as the long-sought location for my Festival performance, I now confess with great satisfaction, that my joy at the fulfilment of my wishes has been increased in great measure by the hospitable attitude expressed by this decision.
During the successful progress of my undertaking I hope it will be possible to convince you what significance I permit myself to attach to the fact that my idea in regard to a remodelling of the German art organism is to be concentrated for its realisation in a definite local scheme, which local scheme will serve as a model for performances elsewhere.
That to the considerations which influence me in my choice of Bayreuth is now to be added the very encouraging and hospitable advances of the magistrates of this city, gives me the most confident security in the ultimate realisation of my hopes and wishes.
Again begging you, most esteemed sirs, to convey the cordial expression of my gratitude to the members of both Councils of the city of Bayreuth, and with the hope of seeing you soon again, I am
Yours very faithfully,
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. 13