5.VII.1912
Più che giuste – sacrosante – le di lei osservazioni per quanto reflette “
Intanto però egli è senza libretto – chè oramai credo che “
Quanto al pericolo
Fra i molti rumori che giungono al mio orecchio c’è anche quello che, non soltanto il
Da
Passano i giorni e mi sembra un sogno che egli non sia più qui fra noi, allo studio e in casa – e invece tutto è finito e non lo vedremo mai più!!
Mi scriva caro Illica e mi dia la buona notizia che ha trovato un soggetto per
sempre suo aff°
Tito Ricordi
5.VII.1912
Dear Illica,
Exceedingly valid — sacrosanct — are your observations regarding "I tre moschettieri". I have never understood how it was possible to consider such a subject — and I had not even recognized the features it shared with "Bohème". Now I hope, more than ever after your letter, that Puccini will stop thinking about setting the Dumas novel to music.
Meanwhile however, he remains without a libretto — since anymore I believe "Anima allegra" has been put to rest — and he continually complains about it to me!! When you last met with Puccini, had you not spoken of other subjects?
As for Renzo Sonzogno, I know that danger exists, but it hardly worries me — first of all because, until proven otherwise, I don't believe Giacomo is capable of committing so underhanded a maneuver as that of abandoning Casa Ricordi and me — also because it will soon become clear that Renzo is nothing more than a rough copy of Enver Bey, and that he publishes news of clamorous victories when they are actually crushing defeats ("Reginetta delle Rose" says it all) — and finally because Renzo is not one to offer serious guarantees, present and future, to Puccini, who hardly shrinks from ensuring that his operas yield him a handsome profit.
Among the many rumors that reach me, I've heard that not only Renzo Sonzogno but even Riccardo attempted and continue to attempt to sign Puccini to a contract — anything is possible in this world and few things surprise me — but then what good is it for Riccardo to make such declarations of friendship and cooperation?
You will be receiving a photograph from Manolo of our poor father on his deathbed — I find it quite beautiful and therefore had it sent to you instead of Massa's illustration, which we have chosen not to reproduce.
The days pass and it still seems unreal that he is no longer among us, in his study and at home — and instead it all has come to an end and we will never see him again!!
Write to me dear Illica, with the good news that you have found a subject for Giacomo.
always fondly yours
Tito Ricordi