Mälzel died suddenly on July 21, 1838, on an American brig, while on a voyage between the United States and the West Indies.
[124] Eselshaut—“Ass’s Skin.”—A fairy play of that name with music by Hummel was performed on March 10, 1814, in the Theater-an-der-Wien.
[125] Dr. Leopold Sonnleithner, in the “Recensionen” of Vienna (1861. p. 592), corrects a mistake in an obituary notice of Chapelmaster Gläser with the remark: “I can very well remember that the opera (‘Fidelio’) was rehearsed and conducted by Josef Weigl.” Dr. Sonnleithner’s authority is justly so decisive in all matters pertaining to the musical annals of Vienna, and even the slightest errors are so very rare in his writings, that if one occurs it must be corrected upon unimpeachable authority, to prevent its passing into history. Now, in the manuscript text-book above cited, is written below the list of properties: “Herr Umlauf, conducts”; and near the end of the manuscript overture to “Fidelio” stands in Beethoven’s hand: “Indicate to Umlauf where the trombones enter.” Treitschke is thus so fully confirmed as to leave no doubt that in this instance Dr. Sonnleithner’s memory played him false.
[126] Beethoven’s play on words cannot be reproduced in translation.
[127] He had forgotten, evidently, that he no longer lived in the fourth storey.
[128] It should be 1808.
[129] Probably on account of his deafness; for Moscheles adds: “I had seen Artaria speaking close to his ear.”
[130] Can there be any doubt now that Beethoven took Bettina to one of the rehearsals?
[131] In August Schmidt’s “Musikalisches Taschenbuch, Orpheus,” for 1841.
[132] Judging from the internal evidence this letter is of date, July 10. On Saturday, July 2, “Coriolan” was given, and Beethoven may well have been present. The note was written on a Sunday. July 10 was a Sunday.