109
p. 214-215
Milano 11 Febbraio 1891
Ill.mo Signor
Teatro Reale.
Madrid.
Ho l’onore di rispondere alla stimata s/. 7 corr. confermandole il mio telegramma d’oggi. In circostanze ordinarie, nulla avrei a dire circa alla proposta di portare alla stagione ventura l’andata in scena dell’
Null’altro aggiungo, affidandomi per intero alla buona amicizia ed alla lealtà del Sige Conte di Michelena.
Qui accluso il contratto per
Colla massima considerazione ho l’onore di ripetermi
D.mo Giulio Ricordi
109.
pp. 214-215
CLET001983
Milan, 11 February 1891
Ill.mo Signor Conte di Michelena
Teatro Real
Madrid
I have the honor of responding to your esteemed letter of the 7th of this month, confirming my telegram of today. Under ordinary circumstances I would have no objection to postponing the production of Edgar to the next season, since I find the considerations you present in your letter, dear Sig. Conte, to be more than just. But after the announcement was made that the opera would be performed at nothing less than the Real of Madrid, this delay would be a genuine disaster for poor Puccini!.. I know only too well the Italian press, who would not fail to say that it is all a farce!... and that the truth is the opera faced objections from the Administration, who did not want to stage it!! – It is easy to imagine how serious the damage would be for the Maestro, in addition to the moral letdown which would have tragic consequences, all of Puccini’s hopes having been invested so completely in Madrid. I know I am speaking not with a common impresario but with an absolute gentleman, which allows me to state how things are in complete honesty because I believe you will assess them properly, whereas with any other impresario I would have simply referred to the terms of our contract and nothing more. Instead, Signor Conte, I am asking you, Maestro Mancinelli, and the distinguished cast to make the sacrifice of performing Puccini’s opera this season, even if for only 3 or 4 evenings: experience has taught me that this a genuine sacrifice for everyone to have to make toward the end of a demanding season! but I believe that no one will regret having done so for a talented, struggling young artist. For my part, if Edgar is as successful as I hope it will be, I believe the Administration will find it convenient to reprise it the following year and consolidate its success; in that case, even if the amount is hardly significant for a Management such as that of the Real, I am willing to calculate our current contract as valid for two seasons, that is for '90-'91 and '91-'92.
I will add nothing more, trusting entirely in Sig. Conte di Michelena’s valued friendship and integrity.
Enclosed is the contract I have drawn up for Tannhäuser, which meets the terms you expressed and guarantees your protection from any responsibility and inconvenience. Certainly had there not been the intervention of agents who advanced proposals to the Administration of the Real that were quite different from what they advised the Wagner Heirs, all of this business would have been resolved to our mutual satisfaction long ago. Please honor the attached contracts with your signature and have them sent to Casa Romero, who will receive our instructions regarding the material.
With my utmost consideration, it is my honor to remain
Most sincerely,
Giulio Ricordi