United States or Costa Rica ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
That these representatives disappeared for Dingelstedt, that in their stead he only heard the utterance of orchestral instruments, grieves me, for I see that, as regards fire and expression, the singers remained behind the support of the orchestra.
Lohengrin, too, followed in its steps, though without a first meeting with an entirely favourable reception. Franz Dingelstedt, who was at the time manager of the court theatre at Munich, undertook to introduce Tannhauser there, although, thanks to Lachner, the place was not prepossessed in my favour.
An overcrowded house and a most attentive public were foregone conclusions. Berlioz was present. Do you correspond with Counsellor Muller? He is sincerely devoted to you, and well intentioned. Dingelstedt, who was here lately, intends to give "Lohengrin" next winter, and NOT BEFORE. Of the very DECIDED success of the performance at Prague you have probably heard.
I wish very much to incline Dingelstedt a little more favourably towards the performance of your works and to co-operate with him in perfect sympathy.
June 16th, 1852 Do you know anything about "Tannhauser" being contemplated for Munich next autumn? I know nothing. It would be nice of Herr Dingelstedt to think of such a thing. Herewith I send you a bill for one hundred thalers, and cordially wish you good luck and a good mood, fine weather externally and internally, for your Alpine trip.
The Munich public is more or less neutral, more observing and listening than sympathetic. The Court does not take the slightest interest in music, but "H.M." the King spoke to me about TANNHAUSER as something that had PLEASED him. "Dingelstedt" complains of the impossibility of giving importance to the drama, and gives two or three operas every week for the sake of the receipts.
Dingelstedt has written me an amiable and encouraging letter, and I have sent him the opera which is to be given there in the summer. As regards honorarium, I have entreated him to procure me the best possible terms, as these operas are my only capital, and I must mainly rely upon the great court theatres. I have, however, made no definite demand, having full confidence in him.
Well, let it go; I have other things in my bag. Well then, I have once more needlessly troubled you. Dingelstedt has not replied to me yet; he will have difficulties; it is not the custom to pay decently for dramatic work. Neither do I know how to oust X. from "Tannhauser." He is said to be a complete ass and a blackguard to boot.
If I cared in the least to be in a certain sense recognized, I should have to perceive that Dingelstedt has thoroughly injured me. I read in some papers notices of my opera, evidently founded upon that of Dingelstedt, somewhat to this effect: "Wagner has written another opera, in which he seems to have surpassed the coarse noise of his 'Rienzi'," etc.
Write to me about the money point, and let me know your other wishes as to the Berlin performance. In the meantime keep the above two letters TO YOURSELF, as too much has already been said about the Berlin affair. The arrangement with Dingelstedt has not as yet been settled, but he is coming to Weymar at the end of June.