Milano 18 agosto 1898
Molto graditi mi riescirono i di lei caratteri e la ringrazio per la pronta risposta. La quistione ch’io le sottoposi si presenta difficilissima e delicata, poiché appunto per la nostra qualità d’editori non possiamo apertamente scendere in campo, che allora
Io credo conoscere bene il
Come agire dunque?... Fare polemica su di un buon giornale?... Non la crederei utile: si richiamerebbe ancor più l’attenzione - la macchia d’olio si allargherebbe e tutti i farabutti ed i ladri dell’avvenire si schiererebbero col
Ribattere le asinità è facile con due parole, che in fin dei conti l’editore non è che un procuratore d’affari del compositore: ma si laverebbe la testa all’asino, il quale continuerebbe a menar calci!! -
Come agire, dunque - ripeto?... Ecco una idea, ma può darsi benissimo ch’io esponga una idea bislacca, anzi addirittura asinesca, perché c’entrerebbe il codice:.... ed è cosa di cui non me ne intendo.
Ha ben letto l’articolo
1° -
2° - Che cosa afferma?.... che è falsa la denunzia di proprietà - ad onta di giudicati di Tribunale ed Appello che la proprietà pienamente riconoscono.
3° - L’affermazione
Al suo prudente acume il vagliare se in tutto ciò si riscontrano gli estremi voluti, sicuri, indiscutibili?!... e trovati questi dare querela: ma per far ciò bisogna vederci chiaro e trovare almeno il 99% da parte nostra. Ed allora dare forma solenne e grave.
Non ho bisogno di attestarle per la ennesima volta la mia fiducia in Lei: ma qualora Ella credesse utile (come forma dirò così rappresentativa) associarsi il
Dunque, On.e Avvocato, studi bene la cosa, perché assolutamente occorre ch’Ella riporti una nuova vittoria: se nell’animo suo nascesse il benché minimo dubbio, escogiteremo dell’altro.
La ringrazio assai delle cortesi espressioni sue a mio riguardo: a tempo opportuno se ne parlerà.
In attesa, Le rinnovo i miei amichevoli ossequi.
di Lei devot.mo
Giulio Ricordi
Milan, 18 August 1898
Eg. Avv. and Friend,
I am quite pleased to read what you have written and I thank you for your prompt response. The question I put to you is a most difficult and delicate one, precisely because as publishers we cannot openly engage in the discussion without our adversaries getting the upper hand.
I think I know Lamperti fairly well. Such a vulgar man – a theatrical agent and a ridiculous and I believe also failed Impresario – he had to leave Milan where his position had become untenable!!... What is he up to, how is he getting on in Rome?... We know exactly who Luzzatto is! – Maybe if he were paid 10 or 15 thousand lire for a series of articles, he would change sides! But these are things I cannot do, nor would I even if I could! – It makes one sick. It’s been said that Luzzatto has a legislative proposal ready!!!... which would end up destroying literary rights. I would hardly be surprised if some bigwig from the Ministry of Public Education did not have a hand in it as well; I had already mentioned this to you in another letter, regarding the commission of an opera libretto almost as some sort of veiled attempt at blackmail. All of this crooked nuisance would hardly be of any concern!.... not when we have a statement signed by the most glorious men of Italy: Carducci, Verdi, Marchetti, Boito, Monteverde, etc.! – Names a bit more worthy than those of a Luzzatto and a Lamperti!!.... But these days we full well know what political ideas Their Excellencies tend to follow!!... even at the cost of ignoring the desideratum put forth by these great Italian Artists.
How then to proceed?... Use the platform of a good newspaper to mount our arguments?... I don’t believe that would be helpful: it would only heighten the attention and spread it like wildfire, and all of the prospective thieves and crooks would side with Lamperti!! –
It’s easy to rebut this asininity by simply saying that in the end the publisher is nothing more than a business agent for the composer; but trying to change such obstinacy would only be a waste of time and energy, while these donkeys continue to kick us from behind!!
So I repeat, how then to proceed?... Here’s an idea, but it could well be harebrained if not outright asinine, because it involves interpreting the legal code.... and I have no such expertise.
Have you carefully read the Lamperti article I sent you?... Without a copy before me here I can’t cite exact phrases, but I can give you my impression of it from what I remember.
1 – Lamperti does not mention the company or those operas it most famously owns.
2 – What does he assert?.... That the claim to copyright is false – notwithstanding the Appellate Court sentences that have awarded us complete recognition of copyright.
3 – Doesn’t Lamperti’s published and therefore widely circulated assertion cast discredit upon the name of a company whose reputation has remained unblemished for nearly a century?... Is this not injurious?.. not defamatory?.... not something resembling an accusation of fraud, which is what the collection of unearned rights would be? -
According to your keen understanding of all this, do you perceive those elements that are deliberate, certain, indisputable?!... and having found them, take him to court – but to do so we need to see things clearly in order to determine that we are at least 99% certain of success, in which case we would then formally proceed with all due solemnity and gravity.
I need not iterate for the nth time that you have my complete confidence; but if you should find it useful (I might say for the sake of appearance) to seek the support of Villa, I would have no objection, since the Hon. Villa has always been particularly courteous with me.
Therefore, Hon. Avvocato, take a good close look at the situation, because it would be absolutely necessary for you to lay claim to yet another victory; but if there is even the slightest suspicion of doubt in your mind, we will think of something else.
My utmost thanks for your kind statements in my behalf: we will address this again at the right moment.
Meanwhile, may I renew my friendly regards
From yours most sincerely,
Giulio Ricordi
Giulio Monteverde
Arrigo Boito
Giosuè Carducci
Giuseppe Verdi
Filippo Marchetti
Giuseppe, Cav. Lamperti
Attilio Luzzatto
Tommaso Villa
Letter name DOC01827.213
Volume Signature DOC01827
Year 1888-1901
Volume 01
Pag 445-448
No. pag 4