Dearest Richard,
I have managed to get a copy of your Nibelungen. Counsellor Muller was kind enough to give me his for you; it was taken yesterday to Paris by the courier of the French Embassy here, together with the volume Wagner und das Musik-Drama, by Franz Muller, which has just been published. You will receive the little parcel from Monsieur Leree, chef de bureau des departs au ministere des affaires etrangeres. It is not customary for the ministry to transmit private messages, and you therefore must either call on M. Leree personally, or send him a few lines. I was in bed a whole week at the same time as you. There are moods and conditions in which we bear physical illness better than the uninterrupted sequence of every-day cares and tribulations.
When will the French edition of your three operatic poems appear, and what publisher undertakes the edition of the Nibelungen? Have you arranged with Schott about the publication of the full scores of Rhinegold and the Valkyrie? Send me word as to these three things. The first performance of Rienzi is announced for Boxing-day. I have conducted several rehearsals, and have undertaken the others as well, but I have declined most positively to conduct the performance. That performance will be a brilliant one according to the circumstances here, and will probably realise D.'s expectations as to pecuniary success. Capellmeister Stor, who has conducted your three other operas ever since I left the theatre definitely, will undertake the direction of Rienzi. Our artists are full of enthusiasm. As a trifle I may mention to you that Muller of Dresden (Messrs. Meser) will shortly publish two transcriptions by me, the Spinning Song (Dutchman), and Santo Spirito Cavaliere (Rienzi). I shall not talk to you about my coming to Paris until I am able to tell you the exact date; it will be before long.
Franz Liszt
Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 311