256 To Peter Cornelius
[Autograph in the possession of Constance Bache.]
Dearest Cornelius,
Will you quickly sign the accompanying announcement to the Tonkunstler-Versammlung with your good, beautiful name? You must not fail me on this occasion in Weymar!
And yet another request, dearest friend. Will you go and see F. Doppler and tell him that I very much wish he could arrive with you on the 4th August at latest? I hope he will not refuse me this pleasure—and if it is not inconvenient to him will he also bring his flute and undertake the part in Faust?
With regard to the travelling expenses I have already written to my cousin Eduard; he is to put a couple of hundred florins at your disposal; for it goes without saying that neither you nor Doppler will be allowed to spend a groschen out of your own purse for the journey.
You will meet Eduard here—and also Wagner, Hans, Draseke, Damrosch, Tausig, Lassen, and my daughter (Madame Ollivier).
To our speedy meeting then, my best Cornelius!
Bring your “Cid” with you as far as it is done, and kindly dedicate some days to your heartily devoted
F. Liszt
Weymar, July 12th, 1861
P.S.—Shortly after the Tonkunstler-Versammlung I shall be leaving Weymar for a long time.—-
256A. to Peter Cornelius
[Autograph in the possession of Constance Bache. This letter was left out by La Mara, but is inserted by the translator.]
Dearest Cornelius,
I have just been told that the score of the “Barber of Baghdad” is not in the theater library here, as I thought, but that you have kept it.
I can therefore no longer keep it a secret from you that I am intending to give the Terzet [Canon] from the beginning of the second act at the third concert (7th August) of the Tonkunstler-Versammlung, and I have not the smallest doubt as to the capital effect that this exquisite piece of music will produce.
But do send me by return of post the score of your “Barber.”
The Terzet is a necessary integral part of our programme, which will consist of the “performance of manuscript works of the present day.”—
With heartfelt greetings, your
F. Liszt
July 14th, 1861