Imagine then, dearest Richard, the unspeakable joy which the hours at Zurich and St. Gallen gave me when your beaming glance penetrated my soul and lovingly encompassed it, bringing life and peace.

In a few days I shall write to you at greater length about the Hartel affair, which unfortunately remains in a very unsatisfactory stage.  At Altenburg things are looking very sad.  The Child has been somewhat seriously ill for the last three weeks, and cannot leave her bed.  The Princess also had to doctor herself, and is not yet allowed to leave her room; and I, after having been in bed for quite six weeks, am only just able to hobble about the theatre and the castle.  In spite of this, I have better and best hopes for my dear ones and for you, who live in a high place of my heart, and to whom I feel and confess that I wholly belong.

F. LISTZ.

April 19th, 1857.

At the beginning of next season Dingelstedt will take the place of Herr von Beaulieu as our theatrical manager.  He has been here for the last fortnight, and his position, although not yet officially announced, has been secured by the necessary signatures.

By your recommendation Frau X. will sing Ortrud next Sunday.  Herr A., whom you introduced to me, has also been staying at Weymar for the last month, but I doubt whether I shall be able to serve him in any particular way.  His vocal talent is said to be very small as yet.  Otherwise he impresses me favourably, and I shall hear him before long.

Once more, my best, best thanks for today, when I did not want to write to you about anything else.

239.

Your “Lohengrin” has once more pervaded my whole soul, and in spite of my absurd indisposition, which compelled me to go to bed immediately after the performance, I am brimful of the sublime and tender charm of the incomparable work.  I wish I could sing in F and E major “A wonder!” just as you wrote it.

The performance was the best which we have had so far, and the artists were most enthusiastic.  Next Saturday there will be a repetition, for which I shall get up again.  With Frau Milde you would be pleased; her singing and acting are full of magnetism.  Caspari also gave some passages beautifully, and Milde is always noble and artistically efficient, although he does not quite possess the great volume of voice required for Telramund.  Frau X. did not come up to the mark, and Frau Knopp, our former Ortrud, was much more equal to the part.  Frau X. had studied it conscientiously, but neither her voice nor her enunciation are particularly adapted to the style.  The middle register decidedly lacks strength and fulness, and the declamation moves in prosaic theatrical grooves, without individual and deeper pathos.  This is between ourselves, for I do not want to injure a good woman and conscientious artist; but I cannot advise her engagement at the theatre here, and prefer to keep the place open which she would have to fill.  I believe I told you already that Dingelstedt will assume his office of general intendant at Weymar on October 1st.  Perhaps we shall find, in the course of next season, an Ortrud whom I should like a little younger than Frau X.