Yesterday I dined at Meinhardt's Hotel, where I met Pfister. Pfister is beatifically enthusiastic over his part in Rienzi and behaved with uncommon diffidence. He said if I took him up and taught him properly I could make his fortune, etc. Everything else, too, seems to be going well. I spent a long time with Taubert yesterday and find him also a reasonable and well-disposed person, very zealous for me. For the rest, I am convinced that for the present I have boundless influence at command here. They all assured me that the King's command was so categorical that I could ask what I liked and Kiistner would have to obey me. The moment he opposed me in any matter, all I should have to do would be to go immediately to the Master of the Household, Prince Wittgenstein, or just threaten him with doing so. Well, we shall see! Anyhow, I have never been so well off as I am here.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 131