I was told that the Konigsberg troupe intended to perform “Tannhauser” at Berlin this summer.  I tell you this because I think that you will not approve of the plan, and will refuse your consent if asked for it.

I am very weary and tired, but spring will give us new strength.

Write soon to your affectionate and truly devoted

F. Liszt.

Gotha, April 4th, 1854.

P.S.—­This afternoon I return to Weymar.  R. Pohl and his wife are there, and I have asked him to give you an account of the impending performances of “Tannhauser” and “Lohengrin.”

150.

My dear Franz,

Heaven knows how anxiously I waited this time for your letter!  I reply at once in order to explain the “business” part.

I knew nothing about Messrs. Bote and Bock, but have now come to the conclusion that they must be the purchasers of my operas whom my Berlin agent had in his eye when necessity compelled me last winter to apply to him.  I declare that at present I should not sell my operas to Bote and Bock or anybody else, for reasons which I need scarcely tell you.  I find it difficult to understand how Herr von Hulsen can be naive enough to think that I should consent to the performance of “Tannhauser” at Berlin by the Konigsberg troupe.  I shall write to Konigsberg about it this very day, and I ask you also to write to Hulsen at once and to announce my Veto to him.  You may do this in my name, and mention at the same time that I have once for all placed everything concerning my operas at Berlin in your hands, being firmly resolved to treat with Berlin only through you and according to your opinion, but never again personally.  You may further say that if Herr von Hulsen intended to give an opera by me, and was waiting till he had no longer to treat with me, but with a third person (Bote and Bock, as he thought), because he had fallen out with me personally, he would now have a splendid opportunity of settling everything without coming in personal contact with me, because he would have to deal with you alone; that, as my plenipotentiary, you were compelled to protest against the performance by the Konigsberg troupe, but that in the same capacity you were prepared to arrange the matter with him in some other way.  I think this would be a good opportunity of bringing the Berlin affair to a satisfactory conclusion.  There is much need for it, I can assure you.  Heaven only knows how I am to pull through; and although I do not wish to torture you any more, I may tell you that in my present position you can do me a great and very valuable service by your intercession in another quarter.  Listen!  They have performed “Tannhauser” at Augsburg, badly enough, it is true, but it has paved the way for Munich.  Dingelstedt has written me an amiable and encouraging letter, and I have sent him the opera which is to be given there in the summer.