Volume I Part 14 (1/2)

Truly, dear friend, you have turned the little Weimar into a very focus of my fame When I read the numerous, corin” which now come from Weimar, and compare them with the jealous enmity hich, for example, the Dresden critics used constantly to attackwith sad consistency for the systematic confusion of the public, I look upon Weimar as a blessed asylum where at last I can breathe freely and ease my troubled heart Thank Lobe very cordially in hted me Also tell Biedenfeld and the author of the article in the ”Frankfort Conversationsblatt” that I still hope to thank the with all reat opinion of esar, without forgetting the brave artists to whoratitude

I am deep in reatest importance to me, and I hope it will not be without ireat, stout voluht be oncebut care, is the funereal chant which I have to sing to every young day

You also have been in a very pitiable plight Your serious indisposition and the depressed s to you, and have affected me very one; but was I not right, dear friend, when I warned you and expressed to you my anxiety for your health, because I knehat unheard-of exertions you had made for my sake? Please set my fear at rest soon and comfort me thereby

Finally, I ask you to transmit hly esteemed friend May you two extraordinary people be happy! Farewell, and accept my heartfelt thanks for your friendshi+p, which is now the richest source of my joy

Your

R W

ZURICH, December 24th, 1850

53

DEAR FRIEND,

I have just received a letter froement of the Royal Theatre there In consequence of the brilliant success--so they write--whichthat the subject of the opera belongs to Belgian history, they conteood French, if that should be possible, and producing it forthwith at the Royal Theatre They therefore want at once a copy of the score and of the libretto

Dear friend, I place the whole matter at your feet If you wish that it should co, and if you think that it , then acquire the furtherin hand, which, in your position as protector and generally speaking, you are infinitelythan I You are sure to know Brussels If you will undertake this, I should ask you before all to see about a score Luttichau claied to have another copythat Luttichau, as I hear positively froive the opera at least just yet, one ive back the score for a time, if you were to ask him Of course _I_ cannot apply to hiinal score so far away, I should not like at all; it is all the little property I have To have a copy made here would exceed , as they are pressing at Brussels A libretto I shall send them direct from here

See what you can and will do, dear friend If it should succeed, and soood come of it, I should like to owe it entirely to you, as you have altogether assumed the paternal responsibility for this opera with the care attaching to it I shall ask them at Brussels to apply to you, as you have full power to act in the s in return for your love

frorateful

RICHARD WAGNER

ZURICH, December 27th, 1850

I have to reply to ”M Charles Hanssens jeune, chef d'orchestre et directeur du Theatre Royal a Bruxelles”

54

DEAR FRIEND,

I have just received your letter addressed Weyladly at your disposal as regards the score of ”Lohengrin” and the correspondence with Herr von Luttichau Probably his Excellency will not be very willing to lend the work a second time; but I hope for a favourable result all the saive my friendly impertinence) I should certainly accept the Brussels offer, but with the one condition-- conditio sine qua non--that they let you revise the translation and attend the general rehearsals The performance and the success will have quite a different chance if you go to Brussels, and I aht be a little compromised The actual state of the Brussels theatre I do not know; soo it was somewhat in a muddle and very little adapted to serious work Some time will in any case be required for the translation and rehearsals, but I advise you to make the condition of your presence at once and fireree, I shall answer the gentlemen in that sense as soon as they write to o not to delay er Unfortunately I shall be detained here for about another fortnight by the serious illness of Princess M About January 20th ”Tannhauser” and ”Lohengrin” will again be given, and towards the end of the season Tichatschek will probably be there and take the part

By repeated desire, I have deterether with the analysis of ”Lohengrin,”

in a separate form If you want to add some further remarks on it, let it be soon, so that I may be able to make use of them

I enclose a few lines to Ritter Kindly excuse me to him, and allow me to restore to you the possession and absolute disposal of your property after my return to Weymar Great as is the temptation to weld at your ”Wiland,” I must abide by my resolution never to write a German opera