Wagner's Letters

Richard Wagner to Theodore Apel

March 26, 1836 · Magdeburg

Overview

Wagner writes bleakly on the eve of the first performance of his opera in Magdeburg, with the second and final performance scheduled two days later before the opera season closes. Feeling that Apel's larger concerns may eclipse his own, he nonetheless urges him to attend and give the work some attention.

Letter

Everything is stale and flat to me. You have such great interests now that mine must seem small. To-morrow, Sunday, is the first night of my opera, Tuesday the second and last, because our opera closes on April 1st. It rests with you whether you hear it or not. You do really enjoy music, so give me only a morsel of your notice.

Richard Wagner

Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 31