The family who took rooms on the same floor after I had done so, obliging me to move into others, has now arrived. They are the Koster family and I can hear Adriano practising close beside me now! An extraordinary meeting in this big Berlin!
Yesterday I was able to hold the first regular ensemble rehearsal and had much reason to be satisfied. Taubert has been industrious and even Mme. Koster, who only arrived late the previous evening, came straight away to rehearsal and proved that she had already been studying hard. The choruses are magnificent! What a blessing that is after Dresden! I had practised with Pfister the preceding day. Well, the fellow has no lack of good will and, after all, his voice will pass muster, if one does not think of Tichatschek. Unfortunately the man is absolutely untaught; he does not even know the ABC. All the same he is not stupid, and I was surprised how comparatively quickly he picked up the knack of this and that when I pointed them out and showed him how to do them. After all, the part will carry him along and he will not hear of doubts as to his being able to last out. He says he could sing it all and not break down.
I spent all yesterday evening chatting away with my neighbour, Koster. He has an able, vigorous poet's brain and we got into deep subjects. He has a most excellent influence upon his wife. Her voice is pure and pleasing. She would make a very good Elsa here! Yesterday I at last bethought myself it was high time I called on Meyerbeer who is here. I did not find him at home and left a card. He probably will not be too pleased about my Rienzi. Mme. Frommann is due here to-day. I have seen nothing of other acquaintances as yet, neither have I managed to visit Tieck at Potsdam.
God, how satisfied one could be with Dresden if the little nest only had somewhat more weight in the musical world! There is no doubt that here there is a better vantage-ground for my work.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 132