Dear Friend!
Once again: a good New Year! But now come the worries, namely, the definite decisions as to casting certain roles for my work. As I have quite a collection of interrogation points before me in regard to Mannheim, I appeal to you as a diplomat, hoping you will do better by me than Count Arnim did by Bismarck.
1. Herr Unger shall make the effort to learn the Loge and in addition study the Siegmund for an emergency. This could be of advantage to him in the future, in case he is present at all of the rehearsals, even should he not sing it just yet in Bayreuth.
2. Herr Knapp I should like to have for Fafner, on account of many characteristics; friend Langer must see if this is possible with Knapp's voice (on account of the deep tones). If not, then he shall stick to Donner, with the study of Gunther as doublette—just in the same way as Unger with Siegmund.
3. Fräulein Auguste v. Müller: Grimgerde, one of the Valkyries; Erda and First Norn for emergency, vide: Unger—Siegmund.
4. Fräulein Johanna König—the bird's voice in Siegfried—the somewhat slight figure of the lady preventing my making further use of her. I should like to have used her for the first Rhine daughter, Woglinde; but for this I need, above all, routined, experienced, and courageous women, as they sing most of the time in a flying machine, for which the Lehmann sisters (Lilli and Marie) have offered themselves. But: caution is also advised here: Fräulein König may as well study the Woglinde, just as it would be advisable for Fräulein v. Müller to study the Flosshilde.
Friend Langer is to look after all the coaching—these are the temporary machinations; if I receive good news from you as to the willingness of the above-mentioned singers, official measures, distribution of the roles, more exact arrangements will follow. Only I must be absolutely assured of the unconditional willingness of the participants in every way; this was a point emphasised in my suggestion.
Artistic sensitiveness, coveting of roles, and any demands of this nature will necessitate a complete breach whenever I meet with such conditions.
Only by the voluntary good-will of all participants can that which I have in view be successfully accomplished.
I still need a Sieglinde: that is a calamity! She must be slender and competent. Frau Jaide will not answer. Have you thought of anyone? In case Knapp does not wish to sing Fafner, do you know of any suitable fellow for the role? However, he must be a deep, powerful bass.
A thousand cordial greetings from house to house, and to the distinguished just men!
Your little old
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. 67