Beschreibung:

WAGNER, Richard (1813-1883). Autograph letter signed ('Richard Wagner') to an unidentified recipient ('Geehrter Herr'), Lucerne, 1 May 1870; [ with ] a fragment of an autograph letter to an unidentified 'friend', n.p., n.d. [c.1872]. In German. The complete letter one page, 187 x 125mm (somewhat soiled and spotted; one line cancelled in blue crayon but still legible); the fragment two pages, 138 x 138mm (lacking the lower part of the leaf, with continuation of text and signature; ink annotation at upper margin). Scorn for Ferdinand Hiller, and problems with the sponsorship of Bayreuth. Wagner thanks his correspondent for goodwishes and a number of enclosures; however he is keen to avoiding being a sent a text by Ferdinand Hiller: 'You should save yourself the trouble of sending Herr Heller's article to me as well; I can well imagine how it all starts off!'. The fragmentary letter discusses a financial difficulty after a concert: 'I cannot conceal my embarrassement at the fact that the proceeds of our concert, for which a number of sponsorship certificates ( Patronatscheinen ) should have been delivered to the Cologne association, have not been delivered to Bayreuth in the agreed manner'. Ferdinand Hiller (1811-1885) had been very close to Wagner in the 1840s, but Wagner's scornful remark in the present letter is characteristic of their relations in later life. The Patronat-Schein scheme, which Wagner launched for the financing of the Bayreuth festival in 1872, caused constant difficulties, and almost collapsed altogether in 1874.