How it is that we live for weeks and months by the side of each other while I know all the time that we are cordially united and, so to speak, welded together in spirit, I will not explain to you today.  You have probably heard of the painful circumstances which prevented me from visiting you in Paris at the end of February.  God be thanked, my anxiety is now slightly diminished, and I intend to arrive at Paris between May 7th and 9th.  But I do not want to have it talked about because the many impediments which have so far frustrated my travelling schemes have made me a little superstitious.

With your permission I should like to advocate the offer made to you by Brendel, concerning the performance of the second act of “Tristan,” at the meeting of musicians (August 7th).  Schnorr and his wife have undertaken to sing, and the other parts will be decently filled here.  Of course, this fragmentary performance ought not in the least to disturb or interfere with your original and further plans concerning this work.  I hope that you will credit me with sufficient knowledge of the circumstance to understand your hesitation at sanctioning this proceeding.  Be good enough to tell me simply what you think about it.  If you do not send us packing, and look favourably on our request, the proper steps will be taken.

Write to me, if possible, by return of post, because I leave here on the 29th inst.

Your

F. Liszt.

Weymar, April 18th, 1861.

314.

A thousand thanks, dearest Richard, for your kind letter.  May the treacherous fate which has hitherto kept us apart soon be vanquished for ever.  No one can understand better than I that a fragmentary performance of “Tristan” must appear quite absurd to you.  I thank you for the gentle manner in which you reply to my proposal, and take into account the narrow circumstances and resources which impede my activity.  You cannot believe how painful it is to me not to be able to do anything proper for your honour, benefit, and use.  For several years all my steps and efforts in that direction have been in vain; otherwise, not only “Tristan” but “The Ring of the Nibelung” would be in existence and do wonders.  I was told several times, and positively assured, that everything would be done here to further your efforts, and especially to effect the performance of “The Nibelungen” and of “Tristan.”  I, for my part, have clearly demonstrated, by word of mouth and by letter, what they would have to do, viz., to invite you here for the purpose of mounting and conducting those works in accordance with your instructions and wishes.  But the whole plan was always wrecked on the score of expenses.

I will not trouble you with the details of this affair, the failure of which, between ourselves, was my chief reason for giving up my connection with our theatre altogether.