My dear, good Ottilie,
For once I actually come to the point of sending you a few lines in your far-away Denmark, after a separation which has already been a long one; and now I want to tell you so much of this last year, so critical for me, that I fear my sheet of writing-paper will scarcely last out. Well, then, to begin with the thing which lies nearest my heart: how very much it grieved me that I could not take leave of you when you went away from here! Nothing, during all your absence, has hurt me so much. I was sorrowful indeed when I stayed at the inn at Kulm where, as Mother tells me, you took your last farewells.
Oh, how it hurts me to have to tell you that for a time I lived wildly and forgot my ambition in the company of other students, bringing much trouble and care on my good mother thereby, till at last I pulled myself together and was so fortified in my reformation by my new master that I have now reached a point whence I may regard my plans for the higher activities of my future life as already firmly laid down.
You must know that for the last half-year and more I have been the pupil of Weinlig, the precentor here, who is justly held to be the greatest living contrapuntist, and is besides so excellent a man that I love him as a father. He has taught me with such loving care that, on his own word, I may regard my pupil days as already over, and he now stands at my side simply as counsellor and friend. How much he himself loves me you may judge from the fact that, when Mother asked him for particulars of his fees after six months' instruction, he said that he would indeed be unreasonable if he were to take pay over and above the pleasure he had had in teaching me, and that my industry and the hopes he had formed of me rewarded him amply.
Now, as you will imagine, all this has borne fruit. Last Christmas an overture of mine was performed at the theatre and last week actually at the big concert. As you must know, this last is no trifle, for before anything by a young composer is accepted for the concert the work has to be passed by all the musical experts of the committee of management for the concert, and the fact that my overture was thus accepted will show you that there is something in it.
Now I must tell you something about the evening of the performance which was so important an occasion for me. Rosalie and Louisa were there. I could not possibly expect a striking success, for, firstly, overtures are seldom applauded at the concert, and, secondly, a short time before, overtures by Marschner and Lindpaintner had been performed without setting a single hand in motion; nevertheless my suspense was frightful and I nearly died of fright and apprehension. Picture to yourself my surprise and delight when at the close of my overture the whole room began to applaud just as if they had heard the greatest masterpiece! I can assure you I hardly knew where I was. Louisa was so moved that she wept.
One more piece of news. This week a pianoforte sonata of mine has appeared in print, and I have dedicated it to my Weinlig. They gave me twenty thaler notes for it. I would have liked to send you a copy, but I realise that the cost of carriage is almost greater than the price for which you can obtain it yourself in Copenhagen. So just go to a music-shop and have it ordered from Leipzig under the title Sonata for Pianoforte by Richard Wagner. A first work. Breitkopf and Haertel, Leipzig. It is not very difficult, and in case you cannot play it at once for yourself, ask Fraulein Lottchen in my name to play it to you. I shall be delighted if it pleases you.
Recently I composed an overture to King Enzio, a new tragedy by Raupach, which has been given at each performance of that piece in the theatre. Everyone liked it.
2/5 March.
All this long time I have not succeeded in finishing my letter. Meanwhile we have received your last letter, and since Rosalie herself is answering it and these lines are but enclosures it is unnecessary to give you news of us. Rosalie's letter will doubtless tell you enough about us. How much I rejoice to know from your last letter that you are homesick for us, for it will certainly hasten your return. Oh, do come quickly, so that when Rosalie goes away I shall not be all alone without anyone akin to me in matters of music as well as in blood!
Besides, during the interval in this letter I have written another overture which I am to conduct myself at the Musical Society [Euterpe]. Perhaps I shall get it performed at the big concert, too. Heavens! there I am again on the subject of my compositions, and to cut the old song short, I will make an end of my letter forthwith.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 3