That same year Mr. Rietz, who evidently had heard of my singing of the part of " Hans Sachs," invited me to Dresden to sing to him and the intendant with a view to engaging me for the opera. This time my dreams of a great operatic career seemed to be getting nearer to realisation than before ; but when, after evidently having satisfied both these gentlemen, I was given to understand that at first I should not be allowed to sing any but small parts, like the Herald in Lohengrin, I gratefully declined the offer.