Dear friend,
Your tidings sound as incredible as they are pleasant. And I must admit, what has long been proved to me, that you are a valiant and excellent friend, and prove your friendship splendidly by the success of your venturesome undertaking. Specially do I give you my best thanks for the pregnant and poetic form which you gave to the Tasso programme. Later on, as you have broken the ice in so happy a fashion, we can push on with
[Here, Liszt illustrates with a musical score excerpt of the beginning of the Symphonic Poem "Festklange."
and other such corrupt things in Stettin!—
I was not able to attend to your letter about the matter of the parts of the Flying Dutchman until after my return to Weymar. Herr von Dingelstedt spoke to me about the idea in regard to the fee for Wagner (from the Stettin Directors), and the reply to you from the Secretary Jacobi will be to that effect. If, as I presume, you can so arrange that this idea is carried out, and that Wagner receives his fee, the parts shall be sent you from here.
I visited your dear sisters many times in Dresden, and had some delightful chats with them.
In Carl's Sonatas [Carl Ritter], which I have read with much interest, there is a decidedly musical germ; only I hope that by degrees more juicy fruit may spring from it.
Cornelius is bringing his completed opera back to Weymar at the end of this month. [Doubtless "Der Barbier von Baghdad.">[ Lassen, who is getting on splendidly with his ("Frauenlob "), has composed several exquisite songs between whiles. "Landgraf Ludwig's Brautfahrt" ["Landgrave Ludwig's Bridal Journey," an unpublished opera of Lassen's.] will again be given next Sunday, and from New Year (1858) Lassen will act as Grand Ducal Music Conductor of Weymar. Gotze is retiring from work, and your friend Stor undertakes his post as First Music Conductor. Damrosch, your successor, has composed a quite remarkable Violin Concerto with a Polonaise Finale, with which you will be pleased.
Recall me most kindly to your wife's remembrance, as one who remains ever
Yours in all affection and devotion,