Wagner's Letters

Richard Wagner to Otto Wesendonck

August 7, 1856 · Mornex

Overview

Writing to Otto Wesendonck from Mornex, Wagner reports major health improvement under Dr. Vaillant and says he now feels more confident about managing his condition. He asks Wesendonck to keep caring for him because he still has much work to do, naming Tristan and a newly absorbing subject, The Victors.

Letter

As to myself, I think I am fortunate to have been brought providentially under the care of Dr. Vaillant. The improvement in my health has been so great that I can now look upon the future with quite new eyes, and feel confident of being able to manage my health. I would like to see this blessing shared by everyone I love; my wife has already rejected it with scorn. Don't relax your care for me, for I have still a terrible amount to do on this earth before I can go to rest. Besides Tristan I have yet another subject which engrosses me, so that I should like just to gulp down all the intervening work and get on to this newest plan. It is to be called The Victors.

Richard Wagner

Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 308