Wagner's Letters

Richard Wagner to Franz Liszt

February 22, 1859 · Venice

Overview

Wagner sends an immediate note of thanks, saying Liszt's letter has already calmed the convulsive excitement under which he had been suffering and left him ready to reflect more honestly on himself. He promises a fuller answer the next day, begs Liszt not to send money for the moment, and asks instead for musical works such as Ideals and, when ready, the Dante Symphony.

Letter

I have just received your letter; as I am expecting R. and W., who may come in at any moment, I must defer answering you at length until tomorrow. But I will not go to bed today without thanking you most sincerely for the great benefit you have conferred upon me by your letter. I am often in a state of convulsive excitement, and must then look very ugly. But that state has now disappeared entirely; you took it away today. I shall say more about this tomorrow, and you will find me in a willing frame of mind for confessing my sins. One word more. If I have understood your short hint rightly, let me ask you, for Heaven's sake, not to send me any money now. I could not bear it. Send me your Ideals, and, when it is ready, your Dante; those I am looking for longingly.

The boys have just come in; the well-brought-up K. thanks you a thousand times for your remembrance of him. More tomorrow, God willing.

Richard Wagner

Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 284