You surprised me somewhat with your demand for Tannhäuser. I have become rather touchy in this respect, and would rather forgo the propagation of my operas unless I can feel assured of a performance in the right spirit. It is to be hoped, however, that you know and realise what you have to do with, and have in particular weighed the difficulties connected with the presentation, especially as regards the leading roles. If you have a good hope of overcoming these difficulties, I shall be delighted to be able to rely once again on your friendly zeal. As regards the honorarium, I certainly prefer to receive something definite at once upon the sale of the score, the reason being that I have to fear the Saxon Treasury in receipts of this kind, as all my goods are forfeit to it, for high treason.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 217