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,
Felix M. B.
P. S. How would it be if I had the orchestra parts printed in Germany and brought them over with me? The vocal parts, at any rate, would have to be printed in England, on account of the English words.
Of the singers named, it was Staudigl who was eventually selected to sing the part of Elijah at Birmingham.
In answer to Mendelssohn’s question, what terms he should make for the copyright of his Oratorio, Moscheles writes:—
“I quite feel the responsibility of advising you in the matter; for if fifty years hence it is said, ‘Mendelssohn received only so many pounds sterling for this grandest of works, this inexhaustible mine of wealth to the editor, and that at the suggestion of Moscheles,’ my ashes will be disturbed in their rest. Well, well, you will nod your venerable head, and say, ‘Never mind; Moscheles meant well.’