Owing to a heap of visits (among which were several of deep interest, such as Kaulbach, Varnhagen, Carus, etc.), I have been much interrupted in the completion of the "Elizabeth." Still, I hope to be ready with it by February. You will then again do the best part for it, and must practice works of artistic mercy!— What is the good of anything that is written on paper, if it is not comprehended by the soul and imparted in a living manner?— But among the works of mercy I am not desirous that you should have to bury a still-born Oratorio!—
My heartfelt, twofold greetings to Milde, as friend and as artist. I am writing the part of Landgrave Ludwig for him—and, as the Landgrave is very speedily got out of the way, I will ask him to undertake, in addition, two other parts (those of a Hungarian magnate and a bishop).
The day after tomorrow I accompany the Princess to the mountains and cascades of the Tyrol. On our return journey we shall spend a couple of days in Munich, and shall be back here by the end of September. Will you allow me to conduct "Alceste" on the 2nd of October?—Sobolewski's "Comala" [Opera by Sobolewski.] is fixed for the 12th. I shall give over to our common friend Lassen (to whom please remember me warmly) the pianoforte rehearsals during my absence.
I hope you will get quite strong and enjoy yourself much at the seaside, dear friend, and return in good spirits to us at Weymar, where you are quite indispensable to
Yours most truly and devotedly, F. Liszt
P.S.—Possibly Fraulein * * * (whose name at this moment I forget) will come from Berlin to Weymar during my absence. I recommend her again to Milde and yourself. Preller will introduce her to you, and I beg that Milde will help her with good teaching. If I am not mistaken, she would stand proof well in mezzo-soprano parts.
I have trustworthy tidings of the brilliant success of the first performance of "Lohengrin" in Vienna (on the 19th of this month). Rienzi was also taken up again in these days as before.
206. To Dr. Franz Brendel
Dear honored Friend,
The memorandum is excellent, and I agree with it in all points. I have noted this, according to your wish, at the end by the words vu et approuve [Seen and approved.] (a perfectly correct formula in French). The Prince's address is as follows:—