2.6
18 Gennaio 1902.
Eg° Maestro.
Stamane, dirigendomi al mio ufficio, pensavo precisamente di scriverle: quasi Ella avesse indovinato il mio pensiero, trovo la di lei lettera 16 corr/. la quale tratta appunto di quanto volevo dirle.
Spiacemi assai quanto mi scrive relativamente a
E veniamo a noi. Sono passa[ti] e da un pezzetto, i 20 giorni chiesti da
Cosa fare?... Caro Mascagni, facciamo – ad ogni costo – e facciamo bene – e cambiamo strada.
Io progetterei questo:
- Rinunciare ai piccoli soggetti.
- Prendere adi[ri]ttura d’assalto la
Cosa ne dice?... mi autorizza a persistere in questa idea?... sente Lei che davvero in questa può trovare l’estrinsecazione de’ suoi desideri?....Allora con
Aspetto ansiosamente una di Lei risposta: anche telegrafica: saranno un pajo di giorni guadagnati.
La prego intanto conservare l’assoluto silenzio, onde non vi capitino tra capo e collo altri inciampi.
Saluti cordialissimi
Suo d.mo
Giulio Ricordi
2.6
pp. 15-16
CLET002097
18 January 1902
Maestro Pietro Mascagni
Rome
Eg. Maestro,
As I was on my way to the office today I was just thinking of writing to you; and almost as if you had read my thoughts, I find your letter here of the 16th of this month, which deals with precisely what I wanted to tell you.
I am extremely sorry to read what you write regarding Pesaro!..... But has your position become truly unsettled?.... and are you not capable of standing your ground before your enemies, all of the regulations notwithstanding?... It would be a shame to give in – But I am not sufficiently familiar with the details to have a voice in the discussion; I am only sorry that all this has been the cause of such distaste for you.
And now to us. The 20 days Giacosa said he needed to finish the other act for Puccini have long gone! – I did not fail to write him every 2 or 3 days!!... but the conclusion is that I’ve seen Zero – and I have no idea when I’ll ever get this blessed – or blighted, I don’t know which – act. It seems to me, dear Mascagni, that we are illuding ourselves greatly to think we can count on Giacosa. It’s only time lost, wasted breath. And then, should he actually consign this act in say 10 or 20 days, a month... and he takes on an entirely new obligation, can we calculate with a fair degree of certainty when this libretto will be done?... No – I don’t trust him any longer. I repeat that I’ve been contending with this business since July, and now I’ve had enough.
What to do?... Dear Mascagni, do something we must – at any cost – and do it well – so let’s change direction.
My suggestion would be this:
- Say farewell to our friend Giacosa.
- Forgo the short subjects.
- Tackle Maria Antonietta full on – plan a new stage work: why not?... a drama in 7 or 8 scenes that moves along rapidly such that the entire evening lasts no more than around 3 hours. I believe that this grand subject – one of the most emotionally stirring to be found – can serve to create something that is genuinely novel: I wouldn’t use the term féerie because, understood in its true sense, that would be a sacrilege; but certainly it has the potential to be something new.
What do you say?... have I your authorization to pursue this idea?.... Do you honestly feel it can be the expressive vehicle you desire? If so, let’s get to work with Illica: there will be no obstacles in our way. Perhaps such a work will require a bit more of your time than one less complicated – but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I anxiously await your response, even via telegram, which will save us a couple of days.
Meanwhile I would kindly ask you to say absolutely nothing to anyone, so that we’re not blindsided by other difficulties.
Most cordial greetings from
Yours most sincerely,
Giulio Ricordi
Madama Butterfly
Lettera titolo DOC01828.006
Segnatura Volume DOC01828
Anno 1901-1909
Volume 02
Pag 015-016
Nr. pag 2