Leoncavallo, Ruggero. (1857-1919)
Autograph Letter to Pierre Louÿs about 'Aphrodite'
An interesting and boldly penned letter from the Italian composer best known for his operas, and particularly for the beloved repertoire staple, "Pagliacci" (1892). Four integral pages, signed "R. Leoncavallo." 22 x 28 cm. Villa Prince de Galles, Menton. 24 July, 1902. With the original envelope, addressed to the French poet and writer Pierre Louÿs (1870 - 1925). Usual folds, in fine condition. In French, translated in full:"I should not be classed by you among those who force you to write useless letters, for I know what it costs to write letters when one is working! ... Mail time is a nightmare to me!!.. // I am not confining myself to asking you for an authorization. I have presented you with a libretto which we have discussed and which you have accepted; we have settled all the conditions of our contract which will be signed in October. I have assured you that I will begin the work immediately after Roland and have even talked with you of the translator! Furthermore, we have had conferences with a publisher, Choudens! Taking into consideration this manner of proceeding, very serious on my part, and hoping for a little sympathy from you here is all that I ask of you: (1) forbid M. Berutti to give performances of his work in Europe at least until the first performance of my Aphrodite. If you had been satisfied with me you would have absolutely prohibited his work. // I have no feeling concerning M. Berutti's talent. The pain of seeing the cream taken away from a subject which I love has caused me to sulk. If the work were signed Massenet I should only be sorry to have lost a beautiful subject, but as an artist I should have rejoiced to see it in such competent hands! (2) I also ask of your kindness the following : if some one of those who have already asked you for an authorization (aside from M. Erlanger) should ask you to sign a contract I beg you to postpone it until the first performance of my Aphrodite. // All depends upon my work. I am not asking much and I do not believe you will refuse it to a collaborator whom you have received in Paris in such a charming manner. // My homage to Madame, and believe me, always your devoted admirer. // R. Leoncavallo."
"Having already granted Aphrodite as a ballet to Albéniz and as an opera to Massenet's student Ernest Moret, Louÿs suggested that Leoncavallo write an opera based on his Femme et le pantin. Since these arrangements were not 'exclusive,' Louÿs reluctantly agreed to let Leoncavallo use Aphrodite, as long as he was not requested to produce a libretto. Puccini began searching for a new subject following Tosca; incredibly, he was considering Aphrodite at the same time Leoncavallo received Louÿs's letter." When they met in Paris, Louÿs lent Leoncavallo his copy of Arturo Berutti's version of Aphrodite and, perhaps in part due to the present letter from Leoncavallo, Louÿs then forbade performances of the opera in Europe until 1904, Beruti's version having been produced in Buenos Aires without his consent. "Since beginning Aphrodite precisely ten years ealer on 22 July 1892, the author had refused eighty requests for operatic and stage adaptations, writing some five hundred letters on the subject, without one of the propositions ever reaching the stage. Tired, Louÿs implored Leoncavallo to decide, hoping that a combination of the composer's 'great talent' and 'universal fame' would finally lead to a fruitful collaboration. When Leoncavallo eventually dropped the project, once cannot help concluding that his interest had only been inspired by Puccini's." (Konrad Dryden, "Leoncavallo: Life & Works," pp. 79; 84) (11652)
Autograph Letter Opera