Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2

by Richard Wagner; Franz Liszt

Before taking any steps with regard to my amnesty, I must, once more, take counsel with you, and as this is impossible by word of mouth, as I should have wished, it must be done by letter as briefly as possible.

From Prague the Director of Police there, Baron von Peimann, sent me the advice that I should become a Swiss citizen. In that case the Austrian minister would give his vise to my passport for all the Imperial states, and I might then reside there without being disturbed, for if Saxony should claim me, the reply would be that no Saxon subject of the name of R. W. was known. This would give me some air at least in one direction, and although not much would be gained by it, I might make use of it if there were an intention of performing "Tannhauser" at Vienna, which opera I should let them have there only on condition of my conducting it personally. It is of course more important to me to be allowed to return to Germany proper, not in order to reside there permanently, for I can thrive only in the retirement which I can best secure in a little quiet place in Switzerland, but in order to be present now and then at an important performance, especially of "Lohengrin," and to gain the necessary excitement, without which I must perish at last. I am FIRMLY RESOLVED not to allow "Lohengrin" to be given at either Berlin or Munich WITHOUT ME. A performance of my "Nibelungen" can of course not be thought of, unless I have the permission to travel through Germany so as to gain a knowledge of the acting and singing materials at the theatres. Finally I feel the absolute necessity of living, at least part of every year, near YOU, and you may be assured that I should make a more frequent and more constant use of the possibility of visiting you than you do. To gain all this has now become a matter of the greatest importance to me, and I cannot go on living without at last and quickly taking a decisive step in that direction. I am therefore determined to apply to the King of Saxony for my amnesty in a letter in which I shall candidly own my rashness, and at the same time explicitly state that my promise, never and in no manner to meddle with politics, comes from my very heart. The drawback to this is that, if the other side were ill-inclined, my letter might easily be published in such a manner that I should be compelled to protest publicly against a false and humiliating explanation of my step, and this would lead to a permanent breach, which would make reconciliation impossible. Taking all this into account, I must think it the best thing if my request were laid before the King by word of mouth, through a third person. To satisfy me completely, and give me a chance of success, this could only be done by you, dear Franz. Therefore I ask you plainly, Will you undertake to demand an audience of the King of Saxony on the strength of a letter from the Grand Duke of Weimar? What you should say to the King at such an audience I need not indicate, but we surely agree that in asking for my amnesty stress should be laid upon my ARTISTIC NATURE. On account of that nature and of my individual character as an artist, my startling political excess can alone be explained and excused, and the reasons for my amnesty should be considered in the same light. With regard to that excess and to its consequences, which have continued for several years, I am ready to admit that I appear to myself as one who was in error and led away by passion, although I am not conscious that I have committed a real crime, which would come under a judicial sentence, and I should therefore find it difficult to plead guilty to such a crime. Concerning my conduct in the future, I should be prepared to make any binding promise that could be desired of me. I should only have to announce the modified and clearer view which makes me look upon the affairs of this world in a light in which I did not see them previously, and which induces me to confine myself to my art, without any reference to political speculation. You might also point out that my reappearance in Germany could in no circumstances give rise to a demonstration which, although it might be meant for the artist only, could be explained and applied in a political sense by evil-disposed persons. Fortunately I have, as AN ARTIST, reached such a stage that I need consider only my works of art and their success, but no longer the applause of the multitude. I would therefore promise, with the greatest determination and quite in accordance with my own wishes, to avoid every public demonstration of sympathy which might be offered to me, even as an artist, such as complimentary dinners and the like. These I should most positively decline, and indeed make them, as far as would be in my power, impossible by the mode of my sojourn in various places. I should not even insist upon conducting the performance of any of my operas in person. All I should care for would be to secure a correct rendering on the part of the artists and the conductor by my presence at the rehearsals. If, for the purpose of avoiding any possible demonstration, it should be thought necessary, I should be prepared to leave the town after the completion of the rehearsals and before the performance, which would show clearly enough what is alone of importance to me. In addition to this, I will undertake to avoid in my writings, even of a purely artistic nature, such combative expressions open to misapprehension as may have escaped me formerly in my irritability. Considering all these declarations, the future need be dealt with no longer, only the past. And over that it would be well, in the case of an artist, to throw the veil of forgetfulness, not to make it a cause for revenge. All this you might in conversation explain in a much more comprehensive and conciliatory manner than I could do by letter, especially in a petition for amnesty.

I therefore ask you most fervently, perform this great service of friendship for me. Sacrifice to me the two days which a visit to Dresden would cost you, and explain the matter with that emphasis which alone can avail. From no other measure can I expect a definite and positive result. You alone can speak for me in the manner which is required. If, for special reasons, you should refuse my demand, it would only remain to me to write to the King myself, and in that case we should have to consider by whom my letter could be forwarded to the King, perhaps through the Weimar ambassador. In case the King should refuse my request I might fall back upon the intercession of one of the Prussian ministers, which has been offered to me for that purpose. But I rely little on that, while I expect everything from you and your personal pleading. Be good enough then to let me know soon what I had better do.

Farewell, and accept the cordial greetings of your

RICHARD W.

ZURICH, April 13th, 1858.

Perhaps you might on the same occasion hand a copy of my
"Nibelungen" poem to the King.

215.

DEAREST RICHARD,

I have not neglected the steps for your return to Germany. Unfortunately my late efforts and endeavours have not as yet led to a favourable result, which proves by no means that such may not be the case in the future. Your hint about the roundabout way, viz., Prague, I believe to be an illusion which you ought not to cherish, because it might lead to the most dangerous consequences.