* * * * *
LEIPZIG, May 11, 1846.
MY DEAR FRIEND,--I see by Mr. Moore’s letter, which you enclosed, that
he would rather have the parts printed. I have no objection; but the
question arises whether an English firm would be ready to publish them
under the conditions that Simrock agreed to; namely, that any
alterations I might think necessary should be made in the plates, even
if that necessitated new ones being engraved. Will you be so kind as to
talk this point over with Mr. Buxton, of Ewer & Co., to whom I should
best like to give the manuscript for publication. As there are so many
copies required for Birmingham (42 Sopranos, 20 Violins, etc.), I have
no doubt of his assent.
Then there is another point on which I want your help, or at least your
advice. I mean the question of terms for the work (Choral edition,
etc.). What do you think I ought to ask for it in England? I wished Mr.
Buxton to make me an offer, as I had had some applications for the
copyright from other quarters; and whilst giving him the preference, I
should not like him to be the loser, or to lose myself by the
transaction. He, however, leaves the matter entirely in my hands, and
says he will be agreeable to whatever I propose. What do you think, in
justice to him and to myself, I ought to ask? Please give me your
advice; this matter ought to be settled before the parts are printed.
But now please let me have definite instructions by return of post
whether I am to send the score only, or a copy of the parts also. If, as
Mr. Moore desires, I am to send the latter, that will not prevent my
forwarding the score of the first part of the Oratorio to you in ten or
twelve days; so that the translation can be made from that, whilst the
parts can be copied from my manuscript.
If after all there is no baritone to be got, the whole thing falls to
the ground and the Oratorio cannot be performed. Are neither Pischek,
Staudigl, or Oberhöfer _possible_, as the French say? The latter, I
believe, does not know English; so it rests with the two others.
Good-by. Don’t forget instructions about house-hunting in Leipzig.
Please copy the enclosed; it too concerns the Birmingham Festival.
Excuse trouble and haste.
As ever yours,