Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt, vol 1 | Page 9

starring engagement, and thereby the
possibility of a good representation of "Rienzi" would be given, the
backing out on the part of this P. begins to make me angry. I presume
that he, who is personally stupid, has been subsequently set against my
opera by his conductor, N. For this Capellmeister N. has himself
written an opera, which, because our King had heard it and disliked it
elsewhere, was not produced at Dresden, and the wretched man
probably thinks he owes me a grudge for it, although I had no influence
whatever in the matter. However trivial such considerations may be in
themselves, they and similar ones largely furnish the real cause why
works like mine occasionally die in Germany; and as Vienna for
pecuniary reasons, apart from anything else, is of importance to me, I
go straight to you, most esteemed friend, to ask that you will set
Manager P.'s head right, in favour of an early performance of my
"Rienzi" at his theatre. Pray do not be angry with me.
I have ventured to send you through Meser the scores of my "Rienzi"
and "Tannhauser," and wish and hope that the latter will please you
better than the former.
Let me thank you sincerely for the great kindnesses you have shown
me. May your sentiments remain always the same towards

Your faithfully devoted
RICHARD WAGNER
DRESDEN, March 22nd, 1846

4.
DEAR FRIEND,
Herr Halbert tells me you want my overture to Goethe's "Faust." As I
know of no reason to withhold it from you except that it does not please
me any longer, I send it to you, because I think that in this matter the
only important question is whether the overture pleases you. If the
latter should be the case, dispose of my work; only I should like
occasionally to have the manuscript back again.
You will now have to go through capellmeister agonies of the first
quality; so I can imagine, and my opera is just the kind of thing for that
to one who takes a loving interest in it. Learn to know these sufferings;
they are the daily bread I eat. May God give you strength and joy in
your hard work.
From my heart yours,
RICHARD WAGNER
DRESDEN, January 30th, 1848

5.
MOST EXCELLENT FRIEND,
You told me lately that you had closed your piano for some time, and I
presume that for the present you have turned banker. I am in a bad state,
and like lightning the thought comes to me that you might help me. The

edition of my three operas has been undertaken by myself; the capital I
have borrowed in various quarters; I have now received notice to repay
all the money, and I cannot hold out another week, for every attempt to
sell my copyrights, even for the bare outlay, has in these difficult times
proved unsuccessful. From several other causes the matter begins to
look very alarming to me, and I ask myself secretly what is to become
of me. The sum in question is 5,000 thalers; after deducting the
proceeds that have already come in and without claim to royalties, this
is the money that has been invested in the publication of my operas.
Can you get me such a sum? Have you got it yourself, or has some one
else who would pay it for the love of you? Would it not be interesting if
you were to become the owner of the copyright of my operas? My
friend Meser would continue the business on your account as honestly
as he has done on mine; and a lawyer could easily put the thing in order.
And do you know what would be the result? I should once more be a
HUMAN BEING, a man for whom existence would be possible, an
artist who would never again in his life ask for a shilling, and would
only do his work bravely and gladly. Dear Liszt, with this money you
will buy me out of slavery! Do you think I am worth that sum as a serf?
Let that be known soon to
Your most devoted
RICHARD WAGNER
DRESDEN, June 23rd, 1848

6.
BEST OF FRIENDS,
Here am I fighting for death or life, and do not know what the end will
be. I have written to my lawyer to tell him of my last hope: that by your
energetic interference my affairs may possibly be arranged. Your name
will go far in the transaction, but your person still farther; let me have
the latter for a day, but very soon. According to news which has

reached me here, I shall next Wednesday or Thursday have to
undertake a journey which will keep me away from Dresden for a
fortnight. Performances of my operas I