Volume I Part 28 (1/2)

I ”Flying Dutch (in C)

C Overture

II ”Tannhauser”

A Entrance of the guests at the Wartburg

B Tannhauser's pilgrie (ie, introduction to the third act co on iririn”

A Instrumental prelude

B The whole scene forof the watchman on the tohich enters in D reat prelude in A hts to the earth This is followed (after a transition specially written) by Elsa's bridal progress (with a close, specially written in E flat)

C Weddingmusic in G major repeated Thisonly to hear soly abandon this substitute if I could once hear the real ”Lohengrin”

Well, you have at least hopes I sigh on your and my own account when I hear you say so

But all this leads esar I hope to write toift for the ”Dutchrace, I h it curiously reminded o Maggiore at the expense of friend Liszt Lord knows, I shall always re to do withDutchht have ed to the Princess for her zeal inacquaintance with my new poem; if I could only read it to you both, I should have no fear

The three copies I shall send you before long

Farewell for today, you dear, good friend

Your

RICHARD WAGNER

ZURICH, March 3d, 1853

102

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

As to one thing I must ask you seriously not to antic perseverance of friendshi+p should succeed in opening my return to Germany, be assured that the only use I should make of this favour would be to visit Weimar now and then, take part for a short time in your activity, and witness an important performance of my operas from time to time This I want; it is a necessary of life to me, and it is this which I miss so cruelly I should derive no other benefit from it; I should never permanently settle in Germany, but should retain as the scene of my life, or rather work, calm, beautiful Switzerland, endeared to me by nature How little I am able to endure the permanent excitement which would be involved in my frequent public appearances I know full well; after each explosion, such as I want them now and then, I should require the most perfect quietude for my productive labour; and this I can have here without stint A permanent position I therefore could never resume in Germany, and it would not fall in with s for the purposes already indicated are, as I said before, indispensable to me; they are to me the rain which I require unless my plant is to wither and to die; I can only live in extrereat activity and excitement and--most perfect calm

I have already contemplated what my position would be, for exaranted, and have, after mature consideration, come to the conclusion that even then I should ask you earnestly to undertake the performances of my operas there