23 luglio 1913
Mio fratello
Dato e non concesso che aprisse il teatro, quale repertorio ha egli garantito a
Tutto questo le scrivo, malgrado che ormai
Auguro pel bene di
Spero almeno che
suo affo
Tito Ricordi
Signora
Gemma Bellincioni
210 Kurfürstendamm
23 July 1913
Dear Signora,
My brother Luigi showed me your letter of the 11th of this month in which you informed him of Bianca's contract with Hammerstein — and I would have been only too happy to congratulate my dear cousin for this stroke of good fortune, were I unaware of how things really stand and did I not have such a longstanding acquaintance with the famous American impresario. He is building a theatre — and this is all well and good — but will he be able to open it? I believe not, since I am familiar with the contract he signed with the Metropolitan, which is crystal clear and explicit — and I have no doubt the American courts will not rule in Hammerstein's favor.
Even if he were to open the theatre, what repertory has he promised to Bianca? I'll wager that he offered Puccini's operas and perhaps others we own in America, whereas I can guarantee instead that Sig. Hammerstein will have nothing from us.
I am writing all this to you despite the fact that Bianca will have signed on by now and it is too late — but I do so out of concern for her future, which I believe will be a secure and brilliant one.
May my predictions prove to be wrong for Bianca's sake — but I'm afraid all will come to pass as I foresee it.
I hope at least that Bianca will have a round trip and a generous advance paid to her before she leaves for New York. On these points she should remain absolutely firm. Please extend my fond greetings to the glorious young artist, and believe me always
yours warmly
Tito Ricordi
Signora
Gemma Bellincioni
210 Kurfürstendamm
Berlin W