16/1.1905.
(Officine)
(particolare)
Rispondo a due lettere 13 e 15 corr/ = Quanto a quest’ultima gia ho fatto riscontrare al S.r
Relativamente poi al contesto della sua 13 corr/. non posso davvero dirle d’essere pienamente soddisfatto dell’occorso. Le molte e svariate faccende che mi occupano continuamente non mi permettono sempre di addentrarmi in tutte le quistioni – così, accennandomi Ella all’abbonamento ferroviario dovevo ritenere che la cosa fosse pienamente decisa col Sr Manolo Ricordi = mentre dalla stessa di Lei lettera risulta che una deliberazione assoluta non era stata fatta. Ciò mi spiace, perché la la cosa non corrisponde a quelle precise istruzioni ch’io Le diedi fino dal principio. Dippiù risulta che la Cassa le ha anticipato detto abbonamento, mentre effettivamente la somma relativa non fu spesa! Sta bene ch’Ella crede utile escogitare altro sistema, pel quale la stessa somma anziché per 12 mesi, può servire per 18. Ma in tal caso perché un anticipo di non indifferente importo?.... Sarebbe come se io, progettando nella corrente annata viaggi a
Appunto nel vivo desiderio che da me Le sia mantenuta intera la stima, e che Ella abbia ad acquistarsi quella fiducia che mostra così vivo desiderio di ottenere, ho creduto dirle francamente quale è il mio giudizio in questo affare, il quale avrei preferito non avvenisse.
Ora la cosa è fatta, e vale assai meglio rimanga così com’è: ciò provi intanto a Lei che la mia fiducia perdura, pur esprimendo l’opinione che le esigenze amministrative devono essere scrupolosamente osservate, onde non vi sieno ragioni a commenti di sorta.
Mi pregio riverirla e ripetermi
Suo Aff Giulio Ricordi
2.21
pp. 43-44
CLET002110
16.1.1905
Most Esteemed Sig. Gualtieri
(Workshops)
(private)
I respond to your two letters of the 13th and the 15th of this month. Concerning the latter I have already written to Sig, Walter Graziani of Florence that I could not even consider his proposal – as for Sig. Gori, I will return his manuscripts to him with a delicately worded letter: both because I do not intend to take on new compositions and also because they aren’t worth much and the composer doesn’t know how to write for the voice!
With regard to the context of your letter of the 13th of this month, I cannot truthfully say I’m entirely satisfied about what happened. The many and varied matters with which I am continually occupied do not allow me to always deal in detail with all the issues that arise – thus, when you mentioned the railway pass to me I assumed that the matter had been fully discussed with Sig. Manolo Ricordi, whereas I understand from your letter that this is not the case. This displeases me, because this does not correspond to those precise instructions I gave you from the very beginning. Furthermore, it seems that the cashier anticipated the money for this pass to you, but the relative sum was not actually spent! It’s fine that you think it useful to devise a system whereby you get 18 months validity for the cost of a 12-month pass. But in that case, why do you need an anticipated sum of a conspicuous amount?… That would be as though I, planning trips to Paris, Vienna, and London this coming year, would meantime request an advance of several thousand lire to cover the travel costs!! Ah! No, dear Sig. Gualtieri, that would not be, and is not, correct. My administration has strict criteria, from which I do not intend anyone should deviate. You might well say to me: But why ... Don’t you trust me?... But you have all my trust, as do people like Ing. Tito Ricordi, Cav. Tornaghi, Sig. Blanc!... But if any of these fine gentlemen were to obtain advances of a couple thousand lire each for expenses over the next 18 months, I would be a terrible and indeed a foolish administrator!!!...
It is precisely because of my sincere hope that I can place my complete trust in you, and that you can earn that trust, that I have felt it necessary to give you my frank opinion of this matter, which I would have preferred would never have happened.
Now that the thing is done, it’s best to leave things as they are: this will give proof to you meanwhile of my ongoing trust, while I repeat the observation that administrative procedures must be scrupulously adhered to, so that there will be no reason to offer reprimands.
I am pleased to extend my regards, and remain
Yours warmly,
Giulio Ricordi