Dear Franz,
You of course will not doubt for a moment that I feel sincerely grateful to you for the energy with which you take care of my interest with Hulsen. Let us "save the soul;" then the body also will fare best. I return Hulsen's letter to you. But I am grieved to give you all this trouble. Let us expect nothing. My opinion is that you should not answer him any more. About the pianoforte score of Tannhäuser I am writing to Dresden; they must get one somehow and send it to you for Roger. As you know, I have had Roger in my eye for a long time. If,—as I hope he will through you,—he really learns his task carefully and goes to it with love, I have no doubt that he will be the FIRST Tannhäuser to satisfy my intentions entirely. Greet him very kindly.
Your question about the Musical Festival has given me hopes that you might accompany me there. Really, dear Franz, that would be a joy in this sad year. If you could induce the Princess and the Child to make an expedition to Valais by way of the Oberland and the Gemmi, oh, then, then all would be well. Only from the stupid festival itself you must expect nothing. All my compositions I have withdrawn, and shall only produce the A major symphony; there will be many people, but not much music. If you were there, and perhaps J. and B. as well, we might extemporise something purely for our own diversion. May Heaven grant that you may be sufficiently recovered to do a foolish thing and tempt others to it as well. The festival will be on July 10th, 11th, and 12th. In the first days of the same month we should have to begin our exodus via the Oberland. I have been trying for some time to vegetate; the copying of the score of Rhinegold will have to wait. I must first of all have a go at the Valkyrie.
Richard Wagner
Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 157