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[Autograph (without address) in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.--The contents show to whom the letter was addressed.]
Dear Friend,
Berlioz's two symphonies, "Romeo and Juliet" and "Faust," have been twice given here in the course of this winter with the utmost success. Berlioz was so good as to lend me the score and parts,--but with the express condition that they should not go out of my hands. When, at the request of the Leipzig Academy of Singing [Singacademie], I asked him some weeks ago whether he would not allow me to place "Faust" at the disposal of the Leipzig Institute for a proposed performance, he replied to me as follows:--
"Considering the deplorable performances of which my works have often been the victims both in Germany and elsewhere, I have resolved never to lend them in manuscript. Moreover there are enough of my works printed in score and in separate parts (the three Symphonies, several Overtures, the 5th May, the Requiem, etc.) to make it unnecessary to seek for others. If I made an exception for you," ["Pour toi." Showing that Liszt and Berlioz employed the "tutoyer" towards one another.] etc...
Although I was perfectly certain that the Leipzig performance would be a very satisfactory one, as many of my friends took a lively interest in it, and although I have not the least doubt that you would be anxious to give "Faust" its full value in Frankfort, yet you see from the above lines of Berlioz that I, to my regret, dare not risk any further application to him in this matter. "Faust," moreover, will appear in score this year in Paris, and I sent Berlioz his manuscript back a short time ago.
Should you be disposed to perform something or other of Berlioz's in Frankfort, I can recommend you, first of all, most warmly:-
The two Overtures to "Cellini" and the "Carnaval Romain";
Two numbers out of the Symphony "Romeo and Juliet" -the feast at Capulet's house and the Queen Mab (Scherzo);
And two Marches from the "Harold" Symphony and the "Symphonie Fantastique"-the March of the Pilgrims and the "Marche de Supplice" ["March on the Way to Execution"].
But it will be necessary for you to have several rehearsals--and indeed separate rehearsals for the quartet, and separate rehearsals for the wind instruments.
The effect of Berlioz's works can only be uncommonly good when the performance of them is satisfactory.
They are equally unsuited to the ordinary worthy theater and concert maker, because they require a higher artistic standpoint from the musician's side.
I looked through Kittl's [1809-68. Director of the Prague Conservatorium.] opera some years ago in a piano arrangement, and, between ourselves, I do not think the work will last. Kittl is a personal friend of mine, and I should have been glad to be able to give his work here; but...nevertheless...etc., etc.
Raff's "King Alfred" is a much more successful and important work; and, without wishing to injure Kittl, there is in Raff quite other musical stuff and grist. [Steckt doch in Raff ein ganz anderer musikalischer Kern and Kerl: untranslatable play on words.]
During your last stay in Weymar I spoke to you of Vesque's new opera "Der lustige Rath." Various local circumstances have delayed the performance at Vienna of this really pretty, nicely worked out opera. The mise-en-scene does not require any special efforts; the piece only requires a somewhat piquant and not unskillful soprano singer. Altogether the opera appears to me to be written in a charming style, not too superficially conservative, and to be one of the best among the new operas mezzo-carattere. In case you still have time and are not indisposed to give the opera in Frankfort, I can send you the score. You would do Vesque an essential service if you could give the opera soon, and would have friendly relations with him, for Vesque is a cultivated, intelligent, and first-rate man. [Vesque von Puttlingen (pseudonym, Hoven), 1803-83, Councillor of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, composer of songs and operas.] There are not too many such!
Yours in all friendship,
F. Liszt
Weimar, February 27th, 1853
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