My dear Friend!
I cannot tell you how sorry I am to be obliged to turn over my business to you in such a confused condition! But nothing would be gained by giving way to such feelings. Upon closer inspection there is only a bad stage to be passed through into which we have temporarily been thrown by neglect in a matter in itself full of hope and promise. If things take a good course, we shall have only good results from this previous neglect, that is, if they are now managed cleverly and wisely! This is my consolation and encouragement!
The chief thing now is the favourable outcome of my project for May 22. I did not wish to make anything public until I had secured the consent of my musicians and singers. According to the latest information which has reached me the success of the undertaking is beyond all doubt. Everywhere my invitation has been received with enthusiasm, and the acceptances of the best musicians of the leading German orchestras reach me in almost overwhelming numbers. And no less on the part of the singers. Therefore I can now give you authority to enter into an agreement for the work on the orchestra pit. . . . I am to receive the plans for my house this week. In the meantime I thank you heartily for your trouble about the garden plot. Yes, my Bayreuth friends, that is the right stamp! I had indeed a prophetic feeling!
I look on quietly and modestly at your arrangements concerning the commencement of work on the theatre. Without doubt the chief thing is to save the situation by putting as bold a face on the matter as possible.
For the rest, I breathe freely at the thought of not seeing the enormous undertaking hurried through with, particularly from an artistic standpoint. . . .
Our children are already romancing about Bayreuth; it is difficult for us to endure it here so long, so far from our new friends.
My blessings upon you and sincerest greetings!
Yours,
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. 19