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[The exquisite poet-composer of the operas "The Barber of Baghdad," "The Cid," and "Gunlod," which have at last attained due recognition (1824-74).]
Weymar, September 4th, 1852
It has been a great pleasure to me, my dear Mr. Cornelius, to make the acquaintance of your brother, and I only regret that he passed several days here without letting me know of his stay. Your letter, which reached me through him, has given me a real pleasure, for which I thank you very affectionately. Short though our acquaintance has been, I am pleased to think that it has been long enough to establish between us a tie which years will strengthen without changing the natural and reciprocal charm. I congratulate you very sincerely in having put the fine season to so good a use by finishing the church compositions you had planned. That is an admirable field for you, and I strongly advise you not to give in till you have explored it with love and valor for several years. I think that, both by the elevation and the depth of your ideas, the tenderness of your feelings, and your deep studies, you are eminently fitted to excel in the religious style, and to accomplish its transformation so far as is nowadays required by our intelligence being more awake and our hearts more astir than at former periods. You have only to assimilate Palestrina and Bach--then let your heart speak, and you will be able to say with the prophet, "I speak, for I believe; and I know that our God liveth eternally."
We spoke with your brother about your vocation for composing religious--Catholic music. He enters thoroughly into this idea, and will give you help to realize it under outer conditions favorable to you. Munster, Cologne, and Breslau appeared to us to be the three places for the present where you would find the least obstacles in the way of establishing your reputation and making a position. But before you go to the Rhine I hope you will do me the pleasure of coming to see me here. The room adjoining that which Mr. de Bulow occupies is entirely at your service, and it will be a pleasure to me if you will settle yourself there without any ceremony, and will come and dine regularly with us like an inhabitant of the Altenburg. The theatrical season recommences on Sunday next, September 12th, with Verdi's "Ernani." In the early days of October (at the latest) "Lohengrin" will be given again; and on the 12th of November I expect a visit from Berlioz, who will spend a week at Weymar. Then we shall have "Cellini," the Symphony of Romeo and Juliet, and some pieces from the Faust Symphony.
Kindest regards from yours ever,
F. Liszt
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