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:—

A. The cast.

B. The arrangement of the rehearsals, at some of which I must be present.

If you desire it, I am prepared to come to Berlin at the end of the theatrical season here (June 24th), in order to arrive at an understanding with you about the whole matter, which cannot be difficult.

As to the honorarium claimed by Wagner, I can assure you in advance that he will make no unreasonable demands, and I shall let you know his decision after communicating once more with him. As a minor point, concerning my humble self, I may add that although my personal participation in the performance of a work by Wagner would involve a stay in Berlin of about a month, and the sacrifice of time would therefore be considerable, I should be so delighted at the anticipated success of this matter, that I should not like to mix it up with an estimate of my own expenses.

One other point I must mention: I have heard lately that Wagner makes my direction of his operas an absolute condition for Berlin. Highly flattered as I must be by Wagner's confidence, I take the liberty, in accordance with my unlimited power, of considering the question of my direction as a QUESTION RESERVEE, which I shall decide later on, ACCORDING TO CIRCUMSTANCES. I hope some means will be found of preserving my responsibility towards Wagner and his works without leading to an intrusion of myself on the Berlin artists. Accept, etc., etc.

Your obedient servant,

F. L.

WEYMAR, MAY 20TH, 1854.

N.B.—Be good enough to send me your final instructions as to this point, whether you want a lump sum down, or royalties, or both. Write to me at once as to this, and leave it to me to get a PLUS or a MINUS, according to circumstances.

As soon as Hulsen takes another step in the matter, you will hear of it at once, dearest friend. Write to me about the money point, and let me know your other wishes as to the Berlin performance.

In the meantime keep the above two letters TO YOURSELF, as too much has already been said about the Berlin affair.

The arrangement with Dingelstedt has not as yet been settled, but he is coming to Weymar at the end of June. Probably he intends to wait till the Munich Exhibition is over and to produce "Tannhauser" in the autumn. He writes that he is sorry not to be able to comply with all your wishes as to the honorarium. If you have made any special demands, let me know.

I am rather unwell and weary. This letter-writing, bargaining, and transacting are intolerable to me; by way of relaxation, I am writing a longish article about the "Flying Dutchman"; I hope it will amuse you. Brendel will publish it completely before the middle of June; in the meantime it is appearing as a FEUILLETON in the "Weymar Official Gazette."

Eugene Wittgenstein has sent me your medallion, which has given me great pleasure. It is the most faithful likeness of all your portraits.

In five or six days I shall visit Joachim at Hanover; he was here all last week, and showed me a very remarkable overture. Joachim is making a considerable step in advance as a composer; and if he goes on like this for a few years, he will do something out of the way.

God bless you, dearest friend, in joy and sorrow!