Wagner, Richard

to his supporter, the writer Champfleury, in French, written at the time of the preparations for the Paris premiere of Tannhäuser, Wagner explains that his situation is very bad (“…Vous n’avais pas d’idée de ma situation; croyez-le moi!...”), urges him to come and see him despite his being overwhelmed by work but stressing that at least he has a ticket for the first performance, 1 page, large 8vo, 21x13.5cms, no place or date, [Paris, before 13 March 1861]

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The 1861 première of the revision of Tannhäuser on 13 March was one of the most disastrous days of Wagner’s career. The production was howled down by members of the Jockey Club and there were only two further performances before the opera was withdrawn. The days before the première were especially hectic, with the run of 164 rehearsals with which Wagner was involved.