Dearest friend,
I have just received the incredible news from the Prague manager that, after the censorship had authorized the performance of Tannhäuser, permission was suddenly withdrawn by a higher personage, in other words, that the opera was forbidden. There must surely be some personal stupidity at work here. I should like to assist the man, and, thinking it over, I hit, as I always do when there is need, on you. You have influence everywhere and, as far as I know, can say a word to some very influential persons at Vienna. Kindly consider to whom you could apply, so as to win over someone who would interest himself in the withdrawal of this absurd prohibition. If it is not too much trouble, I ask you especially to arrange this also for me. You can do so many things.
Richard Wagner
Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #3835, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 1, No. 98