Parigi, 18 febbraio 1835
Parigi 18: Febrajo 35
Mio caro Florimo – Sento tutti gli accidenti che hanno impedito che si dessero i
Con la
Ancora non sono calmo di nervi, e quindi non posso scriverti più a lungo. La
Và anche dal Cav:re Nicolini digli che è un grand’uomo e che la mia riconoscenza alla sua amicizia è all’estremo punto: digli che aspetto occasione per mostrarglielo, e che l’amo, e lo stimo per quanto il suo cuore è nobile verso i suoi amici –
Il tuo Bellini –
Deux Siciles
à Monsieur François Florimo
à Naples
t.p. 18 | fevr | 1835 - 5 | mar | 1835
388
46.
Paris, 18 February 1835
Vincenzo Bellini to Francesco Florimo. Letter.
Aut. I-Nc, Rari 4.3.6 (49). One bifolio four sides plus address and partially preserved seal in red wax on the verso.
Ed. Florimo 1882, pp. 496-498 (partial transcription); Cambi 1943, pp. 519-521; Neri 2005, pp. 380-381.
Paris 18 February 35
My dear Florimo - I've heard all about the unfortunate circumstances that prevented the production of I puritani, and how much Malibran, that dear woman, did to try to make it happen. If one thing particularly saddens me amidst so much adversity, it's that the Neapolitan public was denied the opportunity to enjoy her angelic interpretation of my Puritani — but what could anyone do? As you've so wisely put it, there's no standing in the way of destiny no matter how hard one tries, so we'll not speak of it further and let things take their course. Meanwhile you must be relieved, truly relieved to see that I have no regret over the dissolution of my contract with Naples — indeed, I'm quite anxious to hear how that Society reacts to the news of my great success here. You'll certainly let me know, and I'm hoping to get the latest from you around the 20th of this month. - From now on I won't pay the postage on my letters, at least until I hear otherwise from you, because I'm told that you'd pay the same amount to receive them, so tell me if there's any difference between what you've paid before and what you pay now; but differentiate between double and single-sheet letters, and with the exact amounts of your past and present postage for them. - I'm still so completely dazed that I don't remember whether I wrote you about how the Court concert went, so in my uncertainty I'll just add a few words about it now. The finale from Norma made such a marvelous impression that the Théâtre Italien would like to produce the opera next year, and they want me to expand the tenor part for Rubini and the part of the father for Lablache (who adores me now). For the work involved, which comes down to two new pieces and some retouching here and there of the orchestration, I've asked a fee of six thousand francs, and I think they'll agree — if not, I won't write a single note. -
The King, the Queen, and all of the royal family approached me various times at the keyboard to extend their compliments, and with the utmost kindness. - Things have now become quite comfortable for me here: I'm pondering big plans in the event I should stay on in Paris, and who knows but that perhaps I'll succeed.
I'm still waiting on word from the Grand Opéra, where they are busy at the moment with an opera scheduled to open in eight days, and there's a resolution from the minister that I need in order to finalize the agreement with Mr. Véron before the contract can be signed, but I hope to know the outcome in a week. - Among the various articles you'll find here is one in Le Constitutionnel from the 17th of this month that compares my music to my physical appearance and demeanor, in which you'll see how he could render me no greater praise than with the very things he seeks to criticize. He says that everyone already knows my tunes by heart, something that would never happen with truly brilliant operas — but has this critic never heard a curate or parishioner who would have his preaching believed to be the Divine word because it's full of Latin texts that no one, and sometimes not even he, understands? Enough. Let them all criticize me and then observe my success, which could not be more extraordinary. -
My nerves have not yet settled so I can't write you much more. Sig.ra Pollini answered my letter announcing the opera's success, in which she mentioned how content you must be as well. - She's right, you had to be quite satisfied indeed, especially considering the circumstances in which that punctilious Society now finds itself!!! Amen - I leave you with a warm embrace, begging you to thank my dearest Malibran for me with all my heart, and to tell her that I will adore her always and forever, even if her Carlo should justifiably hate me for it. Her steadfast support in these most recent circumstances has made me yearn to be in Naples to cover her with kisses no matter what the entire world may think — but tell her that I hope our paths will cross someday soon, and that I hardly know what I might then be inspired to do. -
Go to Cav. Nicolini as well and tell him what a great man he is and how my gratitude for his friendship knows no bounds. Tell him that I await the opportunity to prove this to him, and that I love and admire him for how his heart is so magnanimously disposed toward his friends. -
Your Bellini-
Deux Siciles
à Monsieur François Florimo
à Naples
postmark 18 | fevr | 1835 - 5 | mar | 1835