WAGNER, Richard (1813-1883). Composer.
Fine Autograph Letter Signed ('Richard Wagner'), in French, to an unnamed correspondent, 1 p. 8vo, no place, no year [Paris?], 13 June 'soir'. Expressing dismay at his correspondent's demand for repayment of a loan of 3,000 francs, & promising to call on him at eight the following morning to see whether he may continue to borrow 1,000 francs 'pour cette heure'.

'... Je ne vous demande pas pardon, puisque je vous ai initié dans les dernières extremités de mon embarras; si vous m'en tirez, vous gagnerez d'autres titres à ma reconnaissance.'

In Paris, in straitened circumstances, between 1838 and 1842, Wagner attempted to support himself and his young wife by singing, song-writing, and composing. In 1859-61 he stayed in Paris again, and in March 1861 mounted an expensive and disastrous production of Tannhauser, costing in the region of £8,000 in all to produce. Having paid his singers, orchestra and production assistants month by month, and depending himself on the payments brought in at each performance, Wagner left Paris crippled with debt, to part of which this letter may refer.

[No: 1617]