Milano 5 Febbraio 1891
M.r le Chev.
Hôtel Frascati: Rue Vivienne
Eg° Avv° ed amico
Dal contesto de’ suoi telegrammi e lettere vedo in quale intricata e difficile posizione Ella si trovi: mi felicito quindi ancora più d’averle affidato questo affare, anche nell’interesse del
Ricevo ora
Le ripeto che, giornalmente ricevo lettere da Verdi, le quali mi commuovono e mi agitano!! - Temo, persino, ch’Egli abbia messo da parte ogni lavoro!! - e questo sarebbe il colmo! -
Al di Lei ritorno, studieremo poi il da farsi pel processo
Intanto moltissimo la ringrazio pel di lei amichevole zelo:
devmo Suo
Giulio Ricordi
107.
pp. 210-211
CLET001981
Milan, 5 February 1891
M. le Chev. Charles [Carlo] Panattoni
Hôtel Frascati: Rue Vivienne
Paris
Eg. Avv. and friend,
From the context of your telegrams and letters, I can see what an intricate and difficult position you are in; this consequently makes me even more happy to have entrusted this affair to you, also in the interests of Maestro Verdi. Certainly one can only hope that a person of your keen intelligence will be able to unravel things. I have just this moment received the Panattoni–Pisa telegram regarding the Opéra archive, and I wasted no time forwarding the information to Verdi, whose state of mind concerns me very much. I had a truly desolate letter from him, and I understand that he is extraordinarily upset; and this is easy to understand, given his position and his spotless character. Therefore…. I have twice the reason to be anxious, both for the interests of our Company and for Maestro Verdi, to whom I am bound not only by professional concerns but also by personal ties of sincere devotion and profound gratitude. For that matter, you are well aware of these sentiments, dear Counsel, and you know how to heed their importance above all else – which is why you have my complete confidence in what you will do.
A letter for me just arrived from Verdi, with which he enclosed another for Nuitter, the archivist of the Opéra. The Maestro suggests that you have Rogier present you to him to deliver this letter, and if Rogier is unable then it can be done by Sig. Pisa. Verdi would be willing to make a quick trip to St. Agata and look again among his papers… but, he says, with little hope…… I telegraphed him, advising him to wait and see first what might come from searching at the Opéra: should something positive turn up, it would spare the Maestro from having to travel in this inclement season. So we shall see.
I repeat that not a day passes without letters from Verdi, and their contents fill me with compassion and anxiety!! – I even fear that he has stopped working entirely!! – and this would be too much! –
When you return we will examine what is to be done for the Sonzogno lawsuit!! – we absolutely need to win!! – Lead us onward then, O general.
Meanwhile, my thanks many times over for your kind and diligent dedication. Tornaghi sends his cordial greetings, as do I, with renewed expressions of my utmost respect and consideration.
Yours most sincerely,
Giulio Ricordi
Charles-Louis-Etienne Nuitter
Giuseppe Verdi
Alexandre Roger
Giacomo Pisa
Eugenio Tornaghi
Opéra National de Paris
Letter name DOC01827.107
Volume Signature DOC01827
Year 1888-1901
Volume 01
Pag 210-211
No. pag 2