The terrible deficiencies of the present production of the Freischutz, publicly denounced by myself, have grown worse by the general indifference, so that the magnificent Freischutz has sunk to the level of a miserable stop-gap used to fill up time on ballet nights. I tried in vain to put forward the view that the public might once more be attracted and even entranced by a benefit performance, produced with certain improvements, in favour of the immortal Master's heirs, but it is useless to talk enthusiastically to people who have never begun to understand the Freischutz.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 63