6-3-[18]93.
Leggendo il resoconto della
E siccome so quale fiducia e stima si meritano gli scrittori della
Al contrario, avendo assistito della prima all’ultima nota, posso assicurarla che l’esecuzione di jeri a sera fu tra le migliori delle undici = ben è vero che si può osservare che il mio giudizio può anche essere sbagliato: ma nel caso attuale v’è il contrafforte di altri due giudizî assai più competenti del mio: quello di
Questo non solo per debito di verità, ma perché artisti che pongono il più grande impegno ad ogni sera, sono sconfortati e disorganizzati quando una critica non fondata, li disanima completamente.
Vi sono già troppi intelligenti fra il pubblico, per non imbeccare altri!!..
Mi scusi, eg° Signor Nappi, la franchezza mia e lo sfogo: ma è cosa troppo rara una esecuzione tanto fine, briosa ed omogenea come questa che si ha ora perché non provi vivo dispiacere nel vederla non apprezzata come si merita.
Cordialmente salutandola e con stima, ho l’onore di ripetermi
di Lei dmo.
Giulio Ricordi
149.
pp. 299-300
CLET001878
6-3-[18]93
St.mo Signor Nappi,
After reading your review in today’s issue of La perseveranza, I came to realize that you certainly must not have been at La Scala yesterday evening because, musician and practical man that you are, you could not have considered that performance to have been less careful and conscientious than usual!
And since I know how deserving those who write for La perseveranza are of confidence and respect, I can only imagine that this affirmation was made in error.
Indeed, having been present from the first to the last note, I can assure you that yesterday evening’s performance was among the best of the eleven. It is perfectly possible to assert that my judgment may well be mistaken; but in this case I am buttressed by two other opinions far more competent than mine: those of Arrigo Boito and of the director of the Cologne Theatre, the distinguished Sig. Hoffmann, who arrived here in Milan some few days ago expressly for Falstaff and has seen two performances. The instant the opera ended yesterday evening, Signor Hoffmann claimed that it was one of the most perfectly executed performances he had ever attended.
I say this not only in defense of the truth, but also because the artists who dedicate so much effort to every performance become discouraged and confused when senseless criticism robs them completely of their spirit.
There are already far too many know-it-alls among the public to encourage even more!!..
Forgive me, dear Signor Nappi, for having spoken so directly and allowed myself this outburst; but such a sensitive, lively, and polished performance as this one is entirely too rare for me not to be sorely disappointed to see that it has not been appreciated as it deserves.
May I extend my cordial greetings and respect, honored to remain
Yours most sincerely,
Giulio Ricordi