I expect little
good to him from it, and consider such a step on Wagner's part as
a mistake. In consequence of this opinion our correspondence is
for the time suspended. More about this viva voce - as well as
about "Tristan and Isolde." A performance of the Opera was
desired - that is to say, commanded for the 8th April (the
birthday of the Grand Duchess). But Frau von Milde cannot
undertake the chief part - and on that account the parts and score
sent to us from Carlsruhe will be sent back again at once!
Has Wagner given his opinion more decidedly about a "Tristan"
performance in Leipzig? Can you let me know the contents of his
letter?
With heartfelt greetings, your
F. Liszt
Weymar, January 25th, 1860
If you should see Schuberth, tell him that I have something to
communicate to him that would perhaps repay him for the trouble
of coming to see me here for a couple of hours. I have no
intention of coming to Leipzig for the present. Tell him that
delays of this kind make me "nervos" [nervous] (He knows what the
word "nervos" means with me.)
233. To Friedrich Hebbel
[Communicated by Dr. Felix Bamberg, from the original]
The words which you write to me bear the two-fold eloquence of
the praiseworthy man in the fore-rank of Art, and of the friend
dearly loved and highly respected by me. Accept my warmest thanks
for it, and please excuse me for not having told you sooner what
a strengthening and healing effect your letter made on me. Work
of all sorts and a long absence from here occasioned this delay.
In the interim I was often with you in thought; only the day
before yesterday I read to the Princess your two glorious Sonnets
an den Kunstler ["To the Artist"], "Ob Du auch bilden magst, was
unverganglich" - "Und ob mich diese Zweifel brennen
müssen?"["Whether thou canst form what is imperishable": "And
whether these doubts must burn me."] -
From Weymar I have nothing interesting nor especially agreeable
to tell you. This winter will pass away pretty quietly and
insignificantly at the theater, with repertoire works and pieces
that will bring in money, and in society with the customary
pleasures. A new drama by Rost, "Ludwig der Eiserne," made some
sensation, as is peculiar to the very popular productions of this
author, who has achieved a public-house notoriety here. The
nobles ought to have appeared in it yoked to the plough, but on
Dingelstedt's advice Rost toned down that scene! - A translation
by Frau Schuselka (who has performed here sometimes) of the "Pere
prodigue" of Dumas fils was to have come on the boards; but it
appears that there are scruples about making such very ominous
demands on the customary powers of digestion of our un-lavish
fathers of families! Amongst other inconveniences the piece also
contains logarithms, to which the respectable German Philistine
cannot attain.
