asked me to authorise him to take the necessary steps for the performance of “Tannhauser” at the Grand Opera.  I informed him that my only and indispensable condition would be that an exact translation of the opera, without omission or alteration, should be given.  Soon afterwards a M. de Charnal, a young litterateur without reputation, applied to me, asking me for permission to publish a good translation in verse of the poem of “Tannhauser,” in one of the first Revues de Paris.  That permission I granted him, on condition that the publication in the review should not imply any further copyright.  I am now expecting the pianoforte arrangements of my operas, in order to secure my rights, which will be of importance, whether I want my operas to be performed or whether I want to prevent their performance.  The management of the Grand Opera has made no move, but M. Carvalho, of the Theatre Lyrique, seems to be lying in wait for me.  In case I should do anything with him, I am determined, as I said before, to leave “Rienzi” to his tender mercies, first because that work causes no anxiety to my heart, and may be transmogrified a little for all I care; second, because the subject and the music are certainly less strange to the Paris public than are my other works.  What do you think of it?  To me the whole thing would be purely an affair d’argent, and as such it would no doubt turn out well.

Here you have plenty of business, but I must add one thing more.  I have lately laid your poor Vienna cousin under contribution.  As my manager at Vienna sent me no money, I asked Haslinger, on the strength of your friendship, to enforce my demands, and as he (being prevented by illness, as I afterwards heard) did not reply, I hunted up the address of your cousin (from 1856), and again invoking your sacred name, asked him to prod on Haslinger.  That had the desired effect, and to both I owe it that my manager will probably discharge his debt before long.  You see, it is always “Franz Liszt,” even if he knows nothing about it.

Here you have a very long letter from me.  Next time the good Child shall have one equally long; I am deeply in her debt.  The practical Princess also shall have a regular professor’s letter from me.  For today I send a thousand thanks and greetings to you all from the bottom of my heart.  Be assured of my most faithful veneration.

Long live Altenburg!

Farewell, you dear unique one.

Your

R. W.

Hotel du Louvre, No. 364.

256.

January 30th, 1858.