Dear Friend!
I am in trouble, which I pour out to you as a friend!
Frau Jaide troubles me. If she had only come to me at the right time instead of going off to Vienna to introduce herself as a Wagner singer!
That she “injured” herself in Vienna signifies nothing, absolutely nothing, although I wish she had considered herself as one of my chosen artists and not subjected herself to the risks of a Vienna appearance.
This corresponds to her character, which I could wish were more serious, so that she should more deeply realise the nature of the great task before her.
From inquiries which I have made from absolutely reliable authorities and disinterested friends, one thing seems certain: Frau Jaide is credited with a big talent, a highly significant artistic instinct as a dramatic interpreter, and a warm noble nature but—her voice is said to have been injured, she is said to have grown unreliable, and therefore does not fulfil in the performance the expectation she arouses in the rehearsals.
For me this is no small matter—during the time which Frau Jaide tardily allows to go by—presumably in Vienna appearances—to be obliged to decide about the casting of the chief roles in my work.
Now I beg of you! You are in Darmstadt on the spot; tell me something of the assiduity of this singer. Do you consider her as thoroughly reliable as the mainstay of my performances should be?
I most heartily hope that you will be able to quiet my mind on this point!
As stage machinist you are now obliged to help me by deed and word in everything. Do you remember that I also applied to you for information about your orchestra??? . . .
May Fate be treating you particularly well, but—always think a little of
Yours cordially and 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. 59