OLLIVIER (Émile)(1825-1913). Two autograph letters signed about Liszt and Wagner. L.A.S. La Moutte, 13 August 1886. 4 pages in-8. Beautiful letter in which he discusses the death of Franz Liszt and his relationship with Cosima Wagner. "You have no idea of the degree of fury to which the struggle has reached," remarks Ollivier, explaining that his very life would have been in danger if a friend had not intervened. "What all the political observers had predicted was coming true: radical democracy kills freedom, and is only the irresponsible and abject form of despotism. If we let them go all the way, after them there will only be the Caesarism of a dictator big or small. It will be beautiful for our memory to have fought to the end against this implacable necessity." He then discusses his latest readings, Lamennais's correspondence with Vitrolles and Lamennais's correspondence with Froisset, and remarks, "what interesting studies to make for conferences or for the Revue." He goes on to more painful family matters: "my wife has not been able to send yours the letter of introduction she requested for Mme Wagner. We no longer have any contact with this very intelligent and charming but heartless actress. Two years ago I sent Daniel to Bayreuth: under the pretext of grief she did not receive him; if you could imagine the passionate friendship of this poor Blandine for her sister, you would understand my revolt that her son did not find [...] open arms to receive him. This unfortunate woman hastened the end of her father [Franz Liszt, father of Cosima Wagner and Blandine Ollivier, who died 2 weeks earlier on 31 July 1886], by going to snatch him, exhausted, from the rest he so badly needed, to parade him around at the Bayreuth performances, in order to attract customers. Naturally she did not tell us the time and date of the funeral, so that when we were informed of it, Daniel no longer had the material time to arrive". L.A.S. "Emile Ollivier" to "Mon cher Maître". Florence, 18 October 1857. 1 page in-8. He announces that he has met his son and his wife, for whom he augurs great happiness. "Now a word from me: I am also getting married to Liszt's daughter... I am getting married for no other reason than that, after having travelled with her for a month, I realised that I loved her. That after spending two months in her company, I saw clearly that she had all the gifts of a woman [...]. You, my master, will share my joy. If what you give me at this hour in affection equals what I always give you, I ask for nothing more."