Volume I Part 2 (1/2)

Although I dare scarcely hope that you can act upon it, I hasten to let you know that ”Tannhauser” is announced for performance here on Sunday next, September 24th

On Friday, 22nd, there will be a jubilee concert of our orchestra in celebration of its existence for three hundred years, and on that occasion a piece of s, be heard According to a previous arrangement, I consider it lad to welcoive h I must fear that my news may come at an inconvenient moment

Yours with all my heart,

RICHARD WAGNER

DRESDEN, September 19th, 1848

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MOST ESTEEMED FRIEND,

Cordial greetings, and best thanks for the kind re time I have felt it my duty to write to you Lord knohy I have never done so May it not be too late even today

Will you really in this evil ti e in this arduous labour, which only in the luckiest case can be grateful? ”In the luckiest case,” I say, for only if the actors, especially of the principal parts, are equal to their most difficult task, if the unaccustohten theood intentions, only then the lucky case can happen of the perfor coives me hope of success, it is that you have undertaken the task You can do lad you are settled in Weimar, and I hope that not only Weimar, but you, will profit by it At least, we shall remain near each other

I live in a very huoodwill of certain people Every thought of enjoying life I have abandoned, but--let me tell you this for your comfort--I am alive in spite of it all, and do not mean to let any one kill esar, who has written to me very courteously The points mentioned in his letter have, I hope, been settled verbally by Herr Genast, especially that about the honorariuether Please remember me also to Herr Genast, and let me soon have some news of you

I remain in cordial devotion yours,

RICHARD WAGNER

DRESDEN, January 14th, 1849

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(TO HERR VON ZIGESAR)

HIGHLY ESTEEMED SIR,

Accept iven ht this the tiain sympathy for my works, less on account of the present political commotion, than because of the absence of all real earnestness, which has long ago disappeared fro way to the most shallow desire for entertainment You yourself are anxious about the reception of my opera at the hands of the Weimar public, but as at the same time you evince your syree with e your excellent predecessors with the responsibility for your being obliged to suspect the public of an ill-regulated and shallow taste For as we educate a child, so he grows up, and a theatrical audience is equally subject to the effects of training But I aeneration has invaded all the theatres in the world, theso in the self-conceited interest of a hich perhaps for different reasons, derivable from intrinsic faults, may be exposed to the displeasure of the public However that may be, your care forand meritorious, and I offer you my most cordial thanks The pleasure of a visit to you at Weimar I am compelled, for reasons connected with my local affairs, to leave to another time That the performance ofI fear; for from firence and good- will can do, while I know, on the other hand, how little without these two the amplest resources can achieve for true art As I can be certain of these chief require to you, all others concerned, and especially my friend Liszt, my best thanks in advance; and no excessive anxiety shall trouble me I sincerely wish that the exalted lady whose birthday is to be celebrated will think the success of your labour worthy of acknowledgment

With much esteem, I have the honour to remain

Yours most sincerely,

RICHARD WAGNER

DRESDEN, February 8th, 1849