Dingelstedt has not replied to me yet; he will have difficulties; it is not the custom to pay decently for dramatic work.  Neither do I know how to oust X. from “Tannhauser.”  He is said to be a complete ass and a blackguard to boot.  Hartinger, the tenor, is very good and full of his task; but it was just he who told me that he did not see how X., even with the best intentions, could execute such music.  You of course I cannot expect to venture into this wasp’s nest of Philistines.

The Konigsberg manager has replied to me, saying that he has no idea of producing “Tannhauser” at Berlin.  What nonsense Herr H. has been talking to you!  Do you care to write to him about it?

Do not misunderstand me if now and then I leave something concerning myself unmentioned to you.  The cause generally is that I attach no importance to it.  The truth about the Valais Musical Festival is as follows.  The committee asked me some time ago to conduct that festival, which I flatly declined, declaring, however, my willingness to undertake a symphony by Beethoven (that in A) if they would appoint for the festival proper another conductor who would agree to that arrangement.  This they readily accepted, and engaged Methfessel, of Berne, who is quite devoted to me.  In their announcements they think it useful to put the matter in such a way as to make it appear that I have undertaken the direction of “the Musical Festival” conjointly with M. Perhaps it was this that surprised you.  Altogether not much that is “musical” can be expected from this gathering.  People frighten me about the orchestra they are likely to bring together, but there are even greater doubts as to the collection of a decent chorus.  As, moreover, they are going to have only one rehearsal, you will easily understand why I did not want to have much to do with the affair, and especially had no thought of making propaganda.  Latterly, it is true, they have asked me to produce something of my own, and I have given up to them the “Tannhauser” overture, but with the condition that I must see myself whether they can manage it; after the rehearsal I shall be at liberty to withdraw it.  The whole thing attracts me only because it gives me an opportunity for an Alpine trip (by the Bernese Oberland to Valais).  In the same sense I have sent out invitations right and left, especially to Joachim, who had already promised me his visit for the summer, and whom I have asked to arrange so as to be here about that time; he might in that case do a little in the “festivalling” line in Valais.  B. I also invited, but to you I had so many other things to write at the time that I forgot about this invitation, and the same might easily have occurred again today.  However, how do matters stand?  You are sure to come to me, are you not?  And will you follow me across the Alps?  It is to be at the beginning of July.

If Joachim would like on the same occasion to let me hear something, I could easily get him a regular engagement for the festival.