29-5-[18]91
Città
Secondo le verbali intelligenze, e volendo assecondare i desideri da Lei espressimi, sono disposto a versarle le £4000, qualora sia possibile definire nel modo seguente.
- Pagamento di £4000, delle quali £2000 quali compenso fisso del lavoro, e perdute per l’editore qualora entro l’epoca stabilita l’opera non si potesse compiere e rappresentare - le altre Lire 2000 pagate in conto degli eventuali futuri noli, per la percentuale spettante al Sigr. Verga: tale acconto di £2000 resterà addebitato, e nel caso il contratto non avesse effetto nei casi previsti, sarà detta somma da restituirsi, senza interessi.
- Le altre £2000 che rappresentano la cessione delle parole, per l’uso che l’editore crederà
farne sia per il libretto, sia per stampa colla musica in qualsiasi forma e lingua, saranno pagate al
In questi termini, in massima corrispondenti ai di Lei desideri, mi sento autorizzato a definire. In tal caso bisognerà ritoccare lo schema di contratto provvisorio, e s’Ella favorirà rimandarmelo, lo modificherò nei modi opportuni. Il detto contratto provvisorio, lo faremo poi in termini legali, tostochè la sentenza di appello pronunciata, Ella non avrà timore in proposito. Avverto però che pei detti pagamenti dovrò necessariamente fare annotazioni amministrative.
Oggi fu pubblicata la sentenza d’appello nella nostra
Intanto cordialmente e con stima, mi ripeto
d.mo Suo
Giulio Ricordi
124.
pp. 253-254
CLET001995
29-5-[18]91
Sig. G. Verga
City
According to the verbal information I have received, and desiring to comply with your wishes as you have expressed them to me, I am disposed to set aside £4000 for you with the provision that it can be defined as follows:
- Payment of £4000, of which £2000 as a flat fee for your work, and which will not be reclaimed by the publisher in the event that the opera is not completed and performed within the established period of time – the other £2000 paid as an advance on the percentage of future rental income owed to Sig. Verga: this £2000 advance will be considered a debit, and if the contract is annulled for the aforesaid reasons, this figure is to be repaid to us without interest.
- The other £2000, which represent the transfer of all publication rights to the text, which the publisher may use as desired for both the libretto and for any musical format and language in which it might appear, will be paid to Signor Verga upon publication of the libretto.
These are the terms, corresponding by and large to your wishes, that I feel authorized to define. In this case the disposition of the provisional contract will need revision, and if you will be so courteous as to return it to me, I will modify it accordingly. We will then make a valid legal contract based on this provisional one, so that immediately upon confirmation of the appellate court sentence, you will have no reason for concern. I advise you, however, that for said payments I must necessarily follow standard administrative procedures.
Today the sentence in the appeal of our Ricordi-Sonzogno suit was published, and it was on the whole a great victory for us; may it also signify good tidings for you as well.
Meanwhile with cordial greetings and respect, I remain
Yours most sincerely,
Giulio Ricordi