9 luglio 1912
Rispondo alle sue due lettere.
Dunque
Staremo a vedere cosa mi riserba l’avvenire in fatto di sorprese – qualunque esse siano, la mia coscenza [sic] è tranquilla e chiara chè so di avere sempre contemperato i miei sentimenti di vera amicizia ed ammirazione pel Puccini coi miei doveri – né lievi, né facili – di collaboratore del povero pappà. Ora che sono solo il mio compito è ancora più difficile e spinoso; ma saprò compierlo con tutta serenità.
Fatto questo sfogo intimo con lei, pensiamo alla cosa più importante cioè al nuovo lavoro di Puccini; aspetto, come lei mi promette l’idea del libretto italiano che io leggerò – per ora – nel segreto. Intanto Puccini risponderà alla di lei lettera e certamente vorrà sapere del soggetto – vedremo poi cosa deciderà e se io dovrò intervenire o meno.
Un poco forte la risposta all’avvocato di
Affettuosi saluti
dal suo
Tito Ricordi
9 July 1912
Dear Illica,
I am responding herewith to your two letters.
So Puccini has roused himself, and now you can open up and reveal that there is a subject to be had; God willing that it may it be to his liking, and that this diplomatic correspondence results in another opus from our Giacomo. Because despite everything — and that is to say, despite his unjustified mistrust of me, despite his dark disposition and jealousy toward the young composers of Casa Ricordi, for me he is always — just as he was for poor father — our Giacomo.
It remains to be seen what surprises await me in the future — whatever they may be, my conscience is clear and calm in the knowledge that I have always equitably managed my feelings of genuine friendship and admiration for Puccini with my responsibilities — neither trifling, nor easy — of collaborating with poor father. Now that I am alone my job is still more difficult and fraught with obstacles; but I am confident I will be able to persevere with absolute serenity.
Having thus allowed myself to vent my private feelings to you, I recommend we focus on the more important thing, that is to say on Puccini's new work. I await, as you have promised, the idea you have for the Italian libretto, which I will read — for now — in secret. Meanwhile Puccini will respond to your letter and will certainly want to know about the subject — then we'll see what he decides and whether or not I should intervene.
I found your response to Franchetti's lawyer a bit strong, but correct —on those grounds it seems difficult to reach an agreement with the composer of "Macboulé".
Warmest greetings
from your
Tito Ricordi
Letter name DOC01829.012
Volume Signature DOC01829
Year 1912-1935
Volume 03
Pag 015-016
No. pag 2