205 To Frau Rosa von Milde
[Court opera-singer in Weimar, nee Agthe; the first Elsa in Lohengrin; a refined and poetical artist]
Weymar, August 25th, 1858
My honored and dear Friend,
If the outward circumstances which you mention in your kind letter are not exactly of the kind that I could wish for you, yet I am egotist enough to be much pleased at its friendly contents towards myself. Accept my warmest thanks for them—and let me tell you how anxious I am that you should like me very much, and how desirous I am to deserve this—as far as it can be deserved; for the best part of a harmonious intimacy must ever remain a free gift.
The “wanton, ragged garments of the Muse,” which you abandon with strict generosity, make a show and please almost everywhere. Her sensual charm is not unknown to me; yet I think I may say that it was given me to lay hold of a higher and a pure ideal, and to vow to it my whole endeavors for many years past. You, dear friend, have, through your singing, often led me to this in the best way, without thinking of it. Moreover it always does me so much good when we meet in unity in the same path.—
Owing to a heap of visits (among which were several of deep interest, such as Kaulbach, Varnhagen, Carus, etc.), I have been much interrupted in the completion of the “Elizabeth.” Still, I hope to be ready with it by February. You will then again do the best part for it, and must practice works of artistic mercy!— What is the good of anything that is written on paper, if it is not comprehended by the soul and imparted in a living manner?— But among the works of mercy I am not desirous that you should have to bury a still-born Oratorio!—
My heartfelt, twofold greetings to Milde, as friend and as artist. I am writing the part of Landgrave Ludwig for him—and, as the Landgrave is very speedily got out of the way, I will ask him to undertake, in addition, two other parts (those of a Hungarian magnate and a bishop).
The day after tomorrow I accompany the Princess to the mountains and cascades of the Tyrol. On our return journey we shall spend a couple of days in Munich, and shall be back here by the end of September. Will you allow me to conduct “Alceste” on the 2nd of October?—Sobolewski’s “Comala” [Opera by Sobolewski.] is fixed for the 12th. I shall give over to our common friend Lassen (to whom please remember me warmly) the pianoforte rehearsals during my absence.
I hope you will get quite strong and enjoy yourself much at the seaside, dear friend, and return in good spirits to us at Weymar, where you are quite indispensable to Yours most truly and devotedly, F. Liszt
P.S.—Possibly Fraulein * * * (whose name at this moment I forget) will come from Berlin to Weymar during my absence. I recommend her again to Milde and yourself. Preller will introduce her to you, and I beg that Milde will help her with good teaching. If I am not mistaken, she would stand proof well in mezzo-soprano parts.
I have trustworthy tidings of the brilliant success of the first performance of “Lohengrin” in Vienna (on the 19th of this month). Rienzi was also taken up again in these days as before.