Wagner, Richard

asking for his forbearance and support in the matter of his request to the Generaldirektor for an extension of his leave of absence, claiming that the granting of such a request is of existential significance for him, since it is quite impossible for him to go back to his duties at present, stating that he will atone for his guilt with anything that might threaten him, including dismissal, explaining his reasons, in which his health also plays a role, noting that he must travel, in the hope that a change of air and surroundings will heal his soul, suggesting that Reissiger might come to some arrangement with Röckel concerning the division of duties in his absence, assuring him that when he returns he is prepared to stand in for him for as long as he thinks fit, and asking him to consider that he is a deadly sick man who cannot be counted on at all

...Trotz dem muß ich Sie inständigst angehen, meiner an den Herrn Generaldirektor gerichteten Bitte um eine Verlängerung des mir ertheilten Urlaubes nicht entgegen sein zu wollen: die Gewährung dieser Bitte ist für mich von der Bedeutung einer Lebensfrage; ich kann jetzt nicht schon wieder in den Dienst treten, es ist mir dies ganz unmöglich. Trage ich die Schuld davon, - gut, so will ich sie büßen mit Allem, was mir irgend drohen kann, Entlassung oder wie es heißen möge, - ich bin auf alles gefaßt, nur nicht auf sofortigen Wiedereintritt in meine Dienstverhältnisse...Nur jetzt bitte ich: betrachten Sie mich wie einen Todtkranken, auf den durchaus gar keine Rechnung zu stellen sei!...



2 pages, 4to, integral autograph address panel, red seal with the composer's monogram ("R W"), Dresden, 3 July 1848, some repairs to edges and corners

Formerly in the Mary Burrell collection, at the Curtis Institute, Philadelphia.

Richard Wagner. Sämtliche Briefe, ii (Leipzig, 1970), pp. 605-6 (no. 269).

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Carl Gottlieb Reissiger (1798-1859), had conducted the premiere of Rienzi in 1842 and, since February 1843, had shared the role of conductor at Dresden with Wagner (who regarded him as very lazy and complacent).  This attractive letter dates from the hectic year of 1848, a time when Wagner was undergoing profound developments in his artistic, political and spiritual character.  Engaged in preparing a prose resumé of the Ring, and in increasing political activities, Wagner bridled at the banality of his daily life in the Dresden theatre, and it was doubtless this which prompted his request to Lüttichau, on 2 July 1848, for an extension of his leave of absence. In another letter to Lüttichau, written on the same day as the present letter, he bolsters his request by asserting that he is sure that Reissiger would support him, notwithstanding the extra duties entailed by doing so, which indeed he did.  After a brief sojourn in Vienna, Wagner returned to Dresden, although his relations with the court continued to deteriorate, and at the same time his political activities increased.  In the end it was these that led to his break with Dresden, being forced to flee for his life before the Prussian troops in May 1849. For another item by Wagner, please see lot 194.