Wagner's Letters

Franz Liszt to Richard Wagner

Undated

Overview

Liszt returns Wagner's letter to the King of Hanover, saying he has found no reliable way of reaching the monarch and advising Wagner instead to write through Joachim or Capellmeister Wehner, who is on good terms with the king. He also discusses the timing of his November or Christmas visit, mentions family and publishing news, and complains that visits and business have left him little time for work.

Letter

In spite of many attempts and inquiries backwards and forwards, I have not found a sure way of obtaining a hearing from his Majesty, the King of Hanover. It appears to me that the best thing you can do in this matter is to write a few lines to Joachim or, in case he should be absent on his travels, to Capellmeister Wehner at Hanover, and to enclose your letter to the king. I, for my part, cannot undertake this commission, as I have no relations with Hanover just now, and should not like to be responsible for a failure.

Wehner (I am not quite certain as to the spelling of his name) is on very good terms with the king, and will be glad to be of service to you. It will be necessary, however, that you should write to him a few lines direct, in which please mention me. I herewith return your letter to the king. Kindly excuse this delay; I was absent for several days, and some other measures, which I thought had been taken for the purpose, have come to nothing. In November you will see me, and I agree to everything that is agreeable to you. By then several of my scores will be in print, which will make it easier for us to read them. During these last months I have been occupied so much by visits, correspondence, and business matters that I could scarcely devote a few hours to my work. I am sometimes angry and wild at the ridiculous troubles I have to go through, and long for our days at the Zeltweg. Write to me later on when my visit will be most convenient to you, in November or at Christmas? The Princess and her daughter stayed several weeks at Berlin, and for the last week they have been in Paris. I do not expect them back here till the middle of September. In the meantime my son Daniel—who at this year's concours at the Lycee Bonaparte, as well as in the Concours General, again distinguished himself and carried off several prizes—has arrived at the Altenburg. One of these days you will receive from Bussenius, with whom you were in correspondence before, your biography. It has been written with the best intentions, and will probably be read far and wide. Under the pseudonym of W. Neumann, Bussenius has edited a biographical collection, Die Componisten der neueren Zeit, for E. Balde of Cassel, and the success has been such that a second edition of some of the volumes will soon be published. I have asked Bussenius to send you the little book.

Franz Liszt

Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 195