To Brendel I have been owing a letter some time for his book; I don’t know what to write to him.  All that is very well, and those who cannot do anything better should do what these people do, but I have no inclination that way any longer.

By your activity, however, I am delighted.  What a lot of things you do!  Do not think I am indifferent because I keep silence; no, I am really glad!  May you succeed in all you do!  About this another time.

The clean copy of my scores I shall, after all, have to make myself.  It would be difficult to compile it to my liking, especially as the sketches are frightfully confused, so that no one but myself could make head or tail of them.  It will take more time; that is all.  Many thanks for your trouble in this matter also.  We may perhaps talk about it; and if it tires me too much, I may still make use of your Berlin friend.

God bless you, dear Franz; you must soon let me hear much, all!

Have confidence in your devoted

Richard.

Zurich, may 2nd, 1854.

While I am composing and scoring, I think only of you, how this and the other will please you; I am always dealing with you.

154.

(From Herr von Hulsen.)

Much-esteemed doctor,

In reference to our conversation when I had the honour of seeing you at Gotha, I beg to ask,—­

If I should wish to produce “Tannhauser” at the beginning of next winter, what would be the conditions?

Be kind enough, dear sir, to let me have your answer as soon as possible.

With the greatest esteem,

Your obedient servant,

Hulsen.

Berlin, May 17th, 1854.

[My answer.]

Dear sir,

I have the honour to return the following answer to your question as to the “conditions” of the performance of Wagner’s operas in Berlin:—­

It need not be explained at length that the performances of “Tannhauser” and “Lohengrin” which have so far been given by theatres of the second and third rank, satisfactory and creditable for them though many of them have been, cannot be accepted as a standard for the performances contemplated at Berlin.  For the very reason that Wagner attributes special importance to the Berlin stage, he has asked and commissioned me to assist him in this matter as a friend and an artist, and has given me unlimited power to act for him.  The conditions are really none other than a dignified and adequate representation, which would guarantee a more than ordinary success for these works.  The latter result is not doubtful to me provided that the representation is worthy of the Berlin stage, and I venture to think that you, dear sir, would share this opinion after the final rehearsals.  But in order to arrive at rehearsals at all, I consider it necessary that a conclusive and brief conversation should without delay take place between you and me to settle the following points:—­