Wagner, Richard

discussing arrangements for a concert in Berlin, thanking her and her husband [the actor Karl Friedrich] for their keen efforts on his behalf, noting that without them it would have been almost impossible for him to perform for a Berlin audience the fragments from his works, mentioning that Niemann will also be taking part in the performances, discussing her requests concerning the reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs, and recommending that her husband get in touch with Herr Georg Davidsohn in Berlin and Herr Feustel in Bayreuth, commenting drily on the need to keep accommodation costs down and to avoid any sort of fraud, asking her to ask the opera director in Vienna for leave of absence, suggesting she needs to be away for at least five days, and wishing her well in her preparations of his music and that she keep all annoyances away from her ("...Mögen Sie uns auch in der Zwischenzeit tüchtig studieren, und namentlich alle sonstigen Anstrengungen recht sorgsam vom Halse halten...")  

3 pages, 8vo (21.7 x 28cm), two later pencil annotations to the first page, with a modern typed translation, Bayreuth, 4 April 1875, some smudging and creasing 

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."

A good letter to the singer Amalie Materna who sang the role of Brünnhilde at the first Bayreuth Festival, which took place the following year (1876). In 1882 at Bayreuth, she created the role of Kundry in Parsifal. In order to raise funds for the festival Wagner organised concerts around Europe including “bleeding chunks” from The Ring. The proposed concert in Berlin was such an event.