Volume II Part 42 (1/2)

R W

3, RUE D'AUMALE

313

MY GREAT FRIEND,

How it is that we live for weeks and months BY THE SIDE OF EACH OTHER while I know all the tiether in spirit, I will not explain to you today You have probably heard of the painful circu you in Paris at the end of February

God be thanked, htly diminished, and I intend to arrive at Paris between May 7th and 9th But I do not want to have it talked about because theschemes have made me a little superstitious

With your permission I should like to advocate the offerthe perfor of ust 7th) Schnorr and his wife have undertaken to sing, and the other parts will be decently filled here Of course, this fraght not in the least to disturb or interfere with your original and further plans concerning this work I hope that you will credit e of the circu this proceeding Be good enough to tell me si, and look favourably on our request, the proper steps will be taken

Write to me, if possible, by return of post, because I leave here on the 29th inst

Your

F LISZT

WEYMAR, April 18th, 1861

314

A thousand thanks, dearest Richard, for your kind letter May the treacherous fate which has hitherto kept us apart soon be vanquished for ever No one can understand better than I that a fragmentary performance of ”Tristan” entle manner in which you reply to my proposal, and take into account the narrow circumstances and resources which impede my activity You cannot believe how painful it is toPROPER for your honour, benefit, and use For several years all my steps and efforts in that direction have been in vain; otherwise, not only ”Tristan” but ”The Ring of the Nibelung” would be in existence and do wonders I was told several ti would be done here to further your efforts, and especially to effect the perforen” and of ”Tristan” I, for my part, have clearly demonstrated, by word of mouth and by letter, what they would have to do, viz, to invite you here for the purpose ofthose works in accordance with your instructions and wishes But the whole plan was alrecked on the score of expenses

I will not trouble you with the details of this affair, the failure of which, between ourselves, wasup ether

The Carlsruhe perforreat joy to me The Grand Duke of Baden be praised and thanked for it You will reward his kindness and grace in a glorious manner

What will become of me in the course of this year is quite uncertain First of all I shall see you in Paris

Your

F LISZT

WEYMAR, April 26th, 1861

An ansould be too late to find me here