Milano 17 Dic/. 1897.
Deputato
Eg.° Avvocato ed Amico.
Molto piacere mi recano i di Lei caratteri, perché provano che la di Lei salute è migliorata: auguro presto Ella me ne possa dare notizie ottime, ma perché così durino, mi permetto salire in cattedra e raccomandarle un più regolare regime di vita!!... quel mangiare a qualunque ora, di fretta, e magari quel mangiare niente fino a sera, non è davvero cosa igienica! - Pur troppo siamo macchinette fragili e guai quando una ruota si irruginisce [sic].
Mi sono molto occupato della Commissione
Il Prof. Fiore….. non capisce un’acca, e dà sempre ragione all’ultimo che parla!! Ecco la fotografia delle prime sedute - protratte ad un mese per fare le relazioni. Se in questo mese, Maestri, Autori, Artisti dessero segni di vita, con qualche voto di Accademie, di Circoli Artistici…. forse ciò impressionerebbe la Commissione…. ma in Italia, nessuno si muove. Né io, né Lei possiamo agire, che il
d.mo
Giulio Ricordi
Milan, 17 Dec. 1897
Hon. Avv. Carlo Panattoni
Deputy
Florence
Eg. Avvocato and Friend,
I am most pleased to read what you have written, because it means that your health is improving. I hope you will soon be able to give me tidings of your full recovery, but so that this may continue allow me to ascend my pulpit and recommend a more regular lifestyle!!... That business of eating at any hour, in a hurry, or perhaps even eating nothing at all until evening, is not at all salubrious! – Unfortunately we are a delicate bit of machinery, and woe be unto us whenever a cog should gather rust.
I have been quite preoccupied about the Guicciardini Commission!... I fear it is a disaster!.. and it seems to have been put together precisely to destroy the legislation, if it is not enough just to cripple it!! – Meanwhile, I find it very strange that not even one musician is among the members. I have received confidential information, which I confidentially repeat here to you. Those in favor of a period of 100 years are: Giacosa and Roux without restrictions, and Rosmini with the restriction that the 20 additional years would be solely to the advantage of the Authors!!.. which however could be overriden “in the event of an agreement stipulating otherwise”. Barzilai was furious with Casa Ricordi!!.. against Giacosa and even against Rosmini..... whom he accuses of being friends of the Company!!..... claiming that the legislation was created to favor Ricordi... therefore he is opposed not only to 100 years.... but even to 80! – Panzacchi: a mystery – Lucchini: an enigma!!!... but both feared to be contrary! – San Martino: favorable – Ferrari: undecided, but eventually favorable if the legislation will improve the rights of painters and sculptors.
Prof. Fiore..... doesn’t understand a thing, and always ends up supporting the last one who speaks!! That’s the picture of the first sessions – extended to a month to accomodate the interventions still to be heard. If in this month the Composers, Authors, and Artists were to show some sign of life, with some support from Academies or Associations for the Arts.... perhaps that would influence the Commission.... but in Italy no one makes a move. Neither you nor I can do anything because Barzilai hates us to death!!... go figure why!! You see, Hon. Avv., what stormy seas we are navigating!!...... What to do?.... Any hint of movement from us is prejudicial!!... With this new Ministry, worse than ever: imagine Zanardelli!!.... I would be grateful for your opinion. Meanwhile, my most humble respects to you and your wife from
Yours most sincerely,
Giulio Ricordi
Francesco Guicciardini
Giuseppe Giacosa
Luigi Roux
Enrico Rosmini
Giuseppe Zanardelli
Salvatore Barzilai
Enrico Panzacchi
Luigi Lucchini
Firenze
Letter name DOC01827.212
Volume Signature DOC01827
Year 1888-1901
Volume 01
Pag 443-444
No. pag 2