Certain quite special considerations have caused me to decide to break off my work upon the Nibelungs for a while in order at once to carry out a subject which I conceived some years previously. A principal consideration was my wish to take in hand a work which, being far less exacting in performance, would afford me the possibility of actually producing it immediately upon completion. Having two prospects of being able to do this open to me abroad, I eventually decided to interrupt my greater work and am now on the point of beginning the musical composition of my previously completed poem of Tristan and Isolde, for such is to be the name of my new work. One thing which recommended this subject to me was the fact that it required only a very modest setting.
Moreover the original character of the theme attracts me, as opening a region for musical treatment wherein I have long desired to spread myself at large and luxuriantly; you will perhaps guess the kind of thing I mean when I tell you that I shall have no misgivings in having my poem translated into Italian. This brings me to another reason I have for writing to you. I wish to ask if you will be so kind as to advise me what preliminary steps I should take to secure copyright in the shortly forthcoming publication of Tristan for France, England and Italy. I should be very glad if you would make this request of mine the occasion of telling me further what view you take of my project.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 341