One line in your friendly letter I answer herewith: proud of my Konigsberg t.i.tle of doctor, and anxious to do it credit, I willingly refrain from giving performances of my humble compositions anywhere.

170. To Carl Hillebrand in Florence

[The celebrated author of "Zeiten, Volker und Menschen" ["Times, People and Mankind"] and other works; born 1820; lived, from 1870 until his death, in Florence, where a memorial tablet, in grat.i.tude to his memory, was erected over his house in the Lung'

Arno.]

Dear and Very Honored Friend,

Your friendly letter leaves me a good hope...for next year. I have just transmitted your thanks and the data relative to our concerted idea to the Grand Duke, who arrived at Ostend on Thursday last, with his daughters, his son and his daughter-in- law. Their Royal Highnesses return to Weimar the 1st September for the fete of Carl August, which the Emperor and Empress of Germany will solemnise with their presence. Monseigneur tells me to invite you to it. I observe to him that you will probably be detained elsewhere; nevertheless, if you should come to Germany at that moment, be a.s.sured that you will be warmly welcomed and received at the Court of Weimar.

The monument of Carl August will be inaugurated on the 3rd September. The ceremony of the "Toison d'Or" ["Golden Fleece"], at which the Emperor will be the sponsor of his brother-in-law, our Grand Duke, will take place on the 4th. Then T.R.H. will leave Weimar, and my poor self return to the Villa d'Este (towards the middle of September) for as long a time as my very dear compatriots will allow of it. They press me strongly to return to Pest on the 1st November; before obeying them I shall come and see you at Florence.

Please count always on the feelings of sincere and high esteem of your very cordially devoted

F. Liszt

Bayreuth, August 2nd, 1875

The papers keep you au courant of the marvels of Wagner's theater here. The performances (announced for the month of August '76) of the Tetralogy, "Der Ring des Nabelungen," will be the chief event of dramatic Art, thus royally made manifest for the first time in this century in its ensemble and unification of Poetry, Music, Acting, and their decorations of Painting and mise-en-scene.

There is not merely the chance, but the guarantee of a grand and striking success, in view of the sublimity of the work itself, and also of the enthusiasm which it already excites amongst the numerous staff of artists chosen to interpret it. In spite of the difficulties of this new transcendental style of Wagner, the preparatory study and rehearsals are an enchantment for the singers and the musicians of the orchestra.

By the 18th August I shall be back at Weimar, and shall stay there till the 6th September.

To Madame Laussot my tender and grateful regards.

171. To Adelheid von Schorn

Dear Excellent One,

It is not without regret that I have given up the very sincere pleasure of meeting you now at Nuremberg. If you remained there till towards the middle of September I should come and ask you what commissions you have for Rome, where I expect to arrive before the 20th September.

Here we are sailing in the full tide of the marvels of art. Every day, morning and evening, one act of the "Ring des Nibelungen" is rehea.r.s.ed in Wagner's new theater. The enthusiasm of the whole staff of singers and orchestral players, to the number of about 150, is as sincere as it is abundant, and everything augurs for next year some prodigious performances of the immense and sublime work which royally dominates all contemporary Art, including the former works of Wagner.

Cosima sends you a thousand affectionate messages, and is expecting to see you at the time of the definite succession of the Nibelung-Ring in the month of August 1876. You were present at the laying of the first stone of the monument, and must not be absent at the crowning moment. .--.

Mme. de Schleinitz is staying here a fortnight longer, and is living at the castle. She keeps herself continually at the highest diapason of grace and charm, without ever missing the opportunity of effectually obliging her friends.

A revoir soon, dear and very excellent one; and ever from my heart your devoted

F. Liszt

Bayreuth, August 7th, 1875

I shall be back at Weimar by the 18th August.

172. To Dr. Franz Witt

[Probably August or September, 1875]

Much-esteemed Friend,

While greatly regretting to hear of your indisposition and thanking you sincerely for your last letter, I now ask you: How are you going to answer the ministerial communication of Trefort?--Are you willing to render important help as regards Church music in Hungary? Superfluous words are unbecoming to me; let us onward and act; and may your n.o.ble and stimulating influence be granted to Hungary. a.s.suredly you will find there admiration, affection, and the necessary a.s.sistance in the great services you will render.

In a word: Come to us, and let us work together in Budapest!

173. To Lina Ramann

[Auth.o.r.ess of "F. Liszt als Kunstler und Mensch" ("F. Liszt as Artist and Man"), 2 vols. (Leipzig, Breitkopf and Hartel, 1880 and 1887)]

Dear Friend,

Thanks to your care I had excellent and very inspired company during my two days' journey from Nuremberg to Rome. Your parallel "Bach and Handel" delighted me more than the famous landscapes of the Brenner. Allow me specially to praise your fine insight into and correct interpretation of the various musical forms of culture from the Motet to the Ma.s.s and the Oratorio.

Some portions also of the "Allgemeine musikalische Erzieh-und Unterrichtslehre" [Universal Musical Instruction] pleased me--(in spite of my inapt.i.tude in things pedagogical), especially the main idea of the work:--that musical instruction should not be separated from, but form a part in, the course of education; a relevant thought, the practical application of which will essentially benefit, and prove useful to, art as well as education.

Again my cordial thanks for the hours at Nuremberg, and best greetings to the amiable comrades in art Fraulein Ida and Auguste.

Yours respectfully and sincerely,

F. Liszt

Rome, September 28th, 1875

174. To Eduard von Liszt

Rome, September 29th, 1875

Dearest Eduard,

Wherever we may be we ever remain one in heart. Probably I shall be in Budapest as early as the middle of November, on account of the Musik-Akademie, which it is my duty to shape in accordance with the standard of somewhat difficult local circ.u.mstances.

Appointments have already been made by the Minister Trefort: Franz Erkel as Director, Volkmann as Professor of Composition, and Abranyi as Secretary. Witt and Bulow had the first offers from Trefort: unfortunately Witt is still too ill, and Bulow could not come till later, after his return from America. Of course Bulow would have received the largest possible sphere of action--somewhat the same as he occupied in Munich, where, for a couple of years, he acted as Director of the Conservatoire in the most successful manner...

All hearty greetings to your circle, and believe me ever your gratefully and sincerely attached

F. Liszt Address: 43, Vicolo dei Greci, Roma (Italia). Till the beginning of November I stay here or at the Villa d'Este, and then travel direct to Pest.

Pray send me news of our dear and amiable Marie.