Honoured Sir,
To come at once to the point on which you probably are most intent, I take leave to inform you that from the evening of December 16 I stand at your disposal for a Mannheim concert, if so it must be (to gain a few extra 5 fl. contributors!)
The rehearsals could take place on the 17th and 18th, the performance on the 19th or 20th. As your room is small, I am afraid to introduce a chorus. If a large hall (and consequently a strong chorus) were possible, I should propose to end the concert with "Wach' auf!" and the close from the Meistersinger: "Ehrt eure deutschen Meister" — with barytone solo (Hans Sachs).
Further: 1. Overture to the Magic Flute (Mozart). 2. Symphony in A-major (Beethoven). 3. Prelude to Lohengrin. 4. (Subject to that condition) the above-named fragments from the Meistersinger. Preceding them: the Prelude to the Meistersinger.
The whole might begin with the Kaisermarsch. I think that would be about enough music?
Frau v. Muchanoff resides: Warsaw, Palais Potocki. Everything else is good and in order. I stay here till December 7. Best thanks for your photograph: at Mannheim they shall take my physiognomy too, to enable me to return the compliment.
With the most respectful greetings,
Yours sincerely
Richard Wagner.
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner to Emil Heckel, with a Brief History of the Bayreuth Festivals, trans. William Ashton Ellis (Grant Richards, 1899), No. 11