6.VII.1912
Ricevo la sua lettera di ieri;
Per conto mio stia pur certo che asseconderò le affermazioni di
Ma occorre proprio la molla Gnecchi per muovere il
Tale il mio modo di vedere.
Mi creda sempre
il suo aff°
Tito Ricordi
6.VII.1912
Dear Illica,
I received your letter from yesterday. Vittorio Gnecchi is not in Milan — he can be found at the Villa Chiesa in Multedo. It seems more natural that you should write to him directly, explaining the issue at hand; and rest assured that Gnecchi will attest to everything you will ask him to say in the event he were to be questioned by Franchetti or his lawyer.
As for me, you can count on my corroborating Vittorio Gnecchi's affirmations — provided I need only give an oral response when questioned, because in writing I would be unwilling to make a statement contrary to fact.
But is Gnecchi's influence necessary to move Franchetti? It seems to me that the merits of the composer and the work are so different that any precedent set by Gnecchi would not be useful as a basis for comparison, and that you have every right to shoot high without resorting to Gnecchi's testimony.
That's my way of looking at it.
Believe me always
yours fondly
Tito Ricordi
Letter name DOC01829.010
Volume Signature DOC01829
Year 1912-1935
Volume 03
Pag 013
No. pag 1