DEAREST RICHARD,
I have managed to get a copy of your "Nibelungen." Counsellor Muller was kind enough to give me his for you; it was taken yesterday to Paris by the courier of the French Embassy here, together with the volume "Wagner und das Musik-Drama," by Franz Muller, which has just been published. You will receive the little parcel from Monsieur Leree, chef de bureau des departs au ministere des affaires etrangeres. It is not customary for the ministry to transmit private messages, and you therefore must either call on M. Leree personally, or send him a few lines.
I was in bed a whole week at the same time as you. There are moods and conditions in which we bear physical illness better than the uninterrupted sequence of every-day cares and tribulations.
When will the French edition of your three operatic poems appear, and what publisher undertakes the edition of the "Nibelungen?" Have you arranged with Schott about the publication of the full scores of "Rhinegold" and the "Valkyrie?" Send me word as to these three things.
The first performance of "Rienzi" is announced for Boxing-day. I have conducted several rehearsals, and have undertaken the others as well, but I have declined most positively to conduct the performance. That performance will be a brilliant one according to the circumstances here, and will probably realise D.'s expectations as to pecuniary success. Capellmeister Stor, who has conducted your three other operas ever since I left the theatre definitely, will undertake the direction of "Rienzi." Our artists are full of enthusiasm.
As a trifle I may mention to you that Muller of Dresden (Messrs. Meser) will shortly publish two transcriptions by me,—the "Spinning Song" ("Dutchman"), and "Santo Spirito Cavaliere" ("Rienzi"). I shall not talk to you about my coming to Paris until I am able to tell you the exact date; it will be before long.
Your
F. L.
WEYMAR, December 2nd, 1860
312.
PARIS, December 15th, 1860.
DEAREST FRANZ,
I am very slowly regaining my strength. What impedes my recovery, and indeed makes it impossible for the present, are the extraordinary exertions and excitements to which I have to expose my health, which is gradually coming back to me. My daily occupation is this, that by the utmost care and by abstaining from any other kind of activity, however slight, I manage to attend the rehearsals at the opera. The proofs of "Rhinegold", which Messrs. Schott would have liked so much to have published at Christmas, have been lying on my table for seven weeks without my being able to make any progress with them. Guess at my condition from this fact, and forgive me anything that I may have done to shock you.
Pardon, for example, my not having thanked you before for sending me Muller's copy of my "Nibelungen." Good Lord! I wanted so much to hasten the publication, and hurried you in consequence. Now I possess the copy, and have not been able even to look at it. I also found it impossible to send you the book before this; I have a horror of undertaking anything, and apart from this, the Paris publishers treat one with abominable negligence. The German original of my letter to Villot you have probably seen. I have not been able yet to address a single line to my Leipzig publisher in connection with this matter.
For "Tannhauser" I have still to score the grand new scene for Venus, and to compose the whole of the Venusberg dance music. How this is to get done in time without a miracle I fail to perceive.
I wish YOU would at last come to Paris.
But no more of this. I cannot speak of anything at greater length, firstly, because I know too little, and secondly, because I must absolutely conclude these lines.
Farewell, and a thousand greetings.
Your
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 time that we are cordially united and, so to speak, welded together in spirit, I will not explain to you today. You have probably heard of the painful circumstances which prevented me from visiting you in Paris at the end of February. God be thanked, my anxiety is now slightly diminished, and I intend to arrive at Paris between May 7th and 9th. But I do not want to have it talked about because the many impediments which have so far frustrated my travelling schemes have made me a little superstitious.
With your permission I should like to advocate the offer made to you by Brendel, concerning the performance of the second act of "Tristan," at the meeting of musicians (August 7th). Schnorr and his wife have undertaken to sing, and the other parts will be decently filled here. Of course, this fragmentary performance ought not in the least to disturb or interfere with your original and further plans concerning this work. I hope that you will credit me with sufficient knowledge of the circumstance to understand your hesitation at sanctioning this proceeding. Be good enough to tell me simply what you think about it. If you do not send us packing, 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" must appear quite absurd to you. I thank you for the gentle 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 to me not to be able to do anything PROPER 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 times, and positively assured, that everything would be done here to further your efforts, and especially to effect the performance of "The Nibelungen" 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 of mounting and conducting those works in accordance with your instructions and wishes. But the whole plan was always wrecked on the score of expenses.
I will not trouble you with the details of this affair, the failure of which, between ourselves, was my chief reason for giving up my connection with our theatre altogether.
The Carlsruhe performance of "Tristan" in September will be a great 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 answer would be too late to find me here.
315.
PARIS, June 15th, 1861.
DEAREST FRANZ,
A few days ago I received a telegram from Leipzig for Tausig, in which he was requested to send his address. Today followed a letter for him, accompanied by one to me, in which I am asked for information as to Tausig and his whereabouts. I think it unnecessary to give that information, because I assume that Tausig has either seen the person in question at Leipzig or given news of himself. I therefore ask you to transmit to our young friend these facts, and also the enclosed letter intended for him, as I do not know what to do with the latter.
Beyond this I have nothing to tell you, dearest Franz—no event, no plan, no hope—for not the slightest change has taken place in my position.
Farewell, and, if possible, make me happy soon by news of your well-being.
Cordially your
R. W.
3, RUE D'AUMALE.
316.