* * * * *
LEIPZIG, July 28, 1846.
MY DEAR FRIEND,--Many thanks for your letter of the 18th, giving me the
dates of the Festival and of the rehearsals. Your and Mr. Moore’s former
letters had not stated these definitely; but now that I know them I can
make my plans accordingly, and will be in London on the 17th, in good
time for the rehearsal of the 20th. I should be glad if the Solos could
be rehearsed at the piano on the 19th.
As the morning performances are to last three hours, the “Elijah,” which
according to my calculation takes two hours, will not be enough by
itself. But then I hope it can be so arranged that a whole piece, not a
selection, can be given in addition to it, in the same way as the
“Stabat Mater” stands on the programme for the first day. To be sure, it
must rest with the Committee whether they will give one or two pieces
before; but, however that may be, don’t let us have a ragout afterwards.
If there must be three hours, do pray arrange it so that a single piece
of three quarters of an hour’s duration be chosen. Besides, it would be
a pity to spoil a programme which, as a whole, has a certain look of
distinction about it.
And now I hope and trust we may soon meet again. Best love to all. My
Cécile, I am sorry to say, will not be able to accompany me; too many
reasons stand in the way of her doing so.
Yours ever,