Good Friday. [April 22, 1859.] Ere going to bed. I have just finished reading the Egmont. Really, the last act is very fine. Otherwise I was put out, this time, by the prose in the piece : after the Tasso, a thing like that strikes one as nothing but an undeveloped sketch, — many animated features, yet no true life-filled whole. It does not reach the level of a work of art, and in this respect I also think the Tasso is unique. However, I have been much moved by it again, but principally by the last act. — Has the child nothing nice for the master to read ? Something soft, poetical — relaxing. How glad I should be of an unknown masterpiece of poetry. Can I really know them all already? Have you by any chance a translation of Tasso — Jerusalem Delivered ? — To-day has been another day of downpour : I never went out at all. Still, my work has gone fairly. I require time for it, however. Do you know this ? — [See note to next example. — Tr.] Very animated,. diz. ~ jL T t = —2 r forte. -i — — 1= — 1 — -r- 1 £*z F*= Slower. Slow. ^F^= j — h j» J ^ h h -' — 1 -„ dim. -^g- , tjg Scarcely yet ? — I'm looking indescribably forward to your [plural] visit ! Everything is arranged already, and shall go as by clockwork. Making music will do me thorough good for once, and I still owe you a glimpse of the Erard. Things are turning nicely green already. If only the weather is fine— eh ? I also promise Wesendonck to put plenty of closes into my playing ; every 8 bars a small gratification. My best blessing on your house ! Many good wishes ! — To our meeting soon ! R. W.
Richard Wagner
Source: Richard Wagner to Mathilde Wesendonck, translated by Ellis, No. 69