ALS in German, one page both sides, 5 x 7.25, July 17, 1869. Wagner writes to his friend, conductor Hans Richter. In full (translated): “I would like to hear from you again. You seemed to be noticeably sad and I thought you were not well. We think of you with concern and we hope for some comfort for you. The decorations painter [i.e. set designer] Jank was here as a result of your kind mediation. I must confess that I was not very impressed by the samples he showed to me. The previous communication with Brandt and Hallwachs has been completely in vain; they had neglected to inform the decorations painter of my precisely detailed instructions, apparently—according to Hallwachs—because they had not been authorized to give official instructions to him. Therefore, I had to start from the beginning again. The usual experiences! You can mention this at some time. You were good enough to trouble yourself with so many of our needs, I hope that you took enough time for yourself besides looking after those matters. I still would like to receive ‘Siegfried’s Tod’—instead of Young Siegfried. I would appreciate it, if I could get the second edition (II) of Dr. Müller’s ‘Meistersinger,’ even if I have to pay for it. I am also missing the score for ‘Das Rheingold.’ Be well, dear poor young friend. Give my regards to your dear Mother, for whom I feel great sympathy, and remember me to Mr. Schäffer and to Nohl” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Wagner’s hand and a vintage postcard image. A few tiny adhesive remnants, mild handling wear, small edge separation at fold, and very faint show-through of ink, otherwise fine, clean condition.
Christian Jank was a theatrical set designer and a friend of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Carl Brandt was the leading stage technologist of his time. Wagner called him “my principal assistant and adviser in the whole practical side of the production…a scene-builder of genius.”
The 1868 premiere of Die Meistersinger in Munich had been so enthusiastically received, that Ludwig ordered a premier performance of Das Rheingold as soon as it could be managed. Supervision of the premiere was entrusted to Reinhard Hallwachs, who had worked alongside Wagner on Die Meistersinger. Hallwachs and Brandt had visited Wagner in April to receive his instructions. Wagner insisted Hallwachs consult him in regarding any designs, and a month after this correspondence, Richter sent Wagner a telegram from Munich, urging him to prevent the premiere of Das Rheingold because of the inadequacies of the scenery, and refusing to conduct a public performance. Wagner telegraphed the King to postpone the performance and wrote a letter explaining the reasons. Ludwig was enraged and wrote to his Court Councillor that “Richter is on no account to conduct again, and is to be dismissed forthwith” and sent a telegram to the Councillor saying that “if W. dares to object again, his allowance is to be stopped for good, and no work of his is ever to be performed in Munich again.” Wagner left Munich the next day.
A significant letter with superior content pertaining to Das Rheingold, the first of the four operas that comprise The Ring. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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