7. Leave of absence for Frau Pohl will be attended to.
8. I reserve to myself the matter of deciding on what pianists shall accompany the Ballads, and undertake the piano part of the "Trios" that are to be given. If possible I want Bronsart to take a part in it.
9. I will send off the definite invitations to the nobility next Sunday (at latest) from Leipzig to Gotha and Meiningen. I am coming to you on Saturday afternoon, 21st May [Must be 28th May, as the letter is dated the 23rd], and shall then stay in Leipzig till the end of the Festival. For the present a suitable room (without sitting-room) will satisfy me, and I beg you to bespeak this for me in the Hotel de Pologne for Saturday. My ministering spirit should have his room close to mine, because looking for him and calling is highly disagreeable to me.
Goodbye till Saturday. Your
F. Liszt
Monday, May 23rd, 1859
P.S.—The performance of "Judas Maccabaeus" (for the Handel Festival) is announced here for next Wednesday, 25th May. Tomorrow, Tuesday, there will be a similar Handel celebration in Erfurt with a performance of the "Messiah." Frau von Milde will sing the soprano part there. Let Pohl know this—perhaps he may like to hear "Judas."
The rehearsals of Rietz's little Opera are in progress, and
Pasque (who has written the libretto for it) told me yesterday
that the first performance will take place next week. Probably
Rietz will undertake to conduct it, as I proposed.
215. To Felix Draseke
Where, my dear, excellent friend, have you got hold of the extraordinary idea that I could be angry with you? How to begin such a thing I really should not know. You are far too good and dear to me for me not to remain good to you also in all things!— Herewith are a few lines for Wagner, which however you don't in the least need. I am glad that you are not putting off this journey any longer. But before you set out WRITE to Wagner (you can add my lines to your letter extra), and inquire whether he will be staying at Lucerne still, so that your Swiss pilgrimage may not be in vain.—You will be certain to get an answer from Wagner by return of post, and will thus be sure of your object.