Wagner (Richard, composer, theatre director and conductor, 1813-83) Autograph Letter signed to Emile Ollivier (Liszt's son-in-law, husband of his daughter Blandine, Cosima's sister), in French, 2pp., 8vo, [Paris], 12th March 1861, a problem with the composer's free tickets for Tannhäuser in Paris, Wagner asks how can he find words to thank Ollivier for his quite unmerited friendship? He suggests that they forget the recent days, "so full of torment and annoyances" for himself, and return to an existence more worthy of so delightful a friendship, meanwhile he is writing briefly to reassure him about the concern he mentioned over the conduct of an agent, "... I have sought information and learn that it is a matter of a small number of authors' tickets, which belong to the author by right for the first six performances and which can be sold. I was for a long time obliged to Giacomelli for my concerts last year, for which he received nothing from me. To give him something, I consented that he should have some of my free tickets, to do what he wanted with, just as, I am told, all authors do. I know, however, the danger of the conduct of this gentleman, which you have informed me about, and you must be sure that I will do all I can to remedy the wrong", folds, slightly browned.

⁂ The production of Tannhäuser in French at the Paris Opéra was to open the following evening. It was a scandal and a disaster, and Wagner withdrew it after three nights.