Wagner's Letters

Richard Wagner to Otto Wesendonck

June 20, 1853 · Zurich

Overview

Wagner writes Otto Wesendonck that he is repaying an old debt before entering a new indebtedness to him in a trustworthy spirit. He asks Wesendonck to give his wife the accompanying Sonata, which Wagner identifies as his first composition since completing Lohengrin six years earlier.

Letter

I am paying an old debt to-day in order to enter upon my new indebtedness to you worthily and in a way to inspire confidence. Please give your wife the accompanying Sonata, my first composition since the completion of Lohengrin six years ago.

Richard Wagner

Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 245

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