F. Liszt Weymar, January 14th, 1850
On the occasion of Schubert's opera I shall probably set to work on the arrangement of the symphony, of which, meanwhile, I hold the score.—Compliments and best regards to Madame Hartel, which I know you will be kind enough to convey to her.
65. To Breitkopf and Hartel
February 24th, 1850
My dear Sir,
.—. With regard to Schubert's opera ["Alfonso and Estrella." It was given for the first time on June 24th, 1854, the birthday of the Grand Duke (but not without some necessary cuts)], a recent experience has entirely confirmed me in the opinion I had already formed at the time of the first rehearsals with piano which we had last spring—namely, that Schubert's delicate and interesting score is, as it were, crushed by the heaviness of the libretto! Nevertheless, I do not despair of giving this work with success; but this success appears possible only on one condition—namely, to adapt another libretto to Schubert's music. And since, by a special fate, of which I have no reason to complain, a part of Schubert's heritage has become my domain, I shall willingly busy myself, as time and place offer, with the preparatory work and the mise-en-scene of this opera, for which it would be advantageous, in my opinion, if it could be first produced in Paris. Belloni informs me that it will be pretty easy for you to ensure me the entire rights of this work for France. If such be the case I would take suitable measures for the success of this work, on occasion of which I should naturally have to make a considerable outlay of time and money, so that I should not be disposed to run any risk without the guarantee of proportionate receipts from the sale of the work in France, and author's rights which I shall have to give up to the new poet.
This matter, however, is not at all pressing, for I shall only be able to set to work in the matter in the course of next year (1851); but I shall be very much obliged to you not to lose sight of it, and to put me in possession, when you are able, of the cession of the French and English rights, in consideration of which I will set to work and try to get the best possible chances of success.
Many thanks to you for so kindly sending the score of Schubert's Symphony. That of the "Prophete" not being wanted by me any longer, I enclose it in the parcel of proofs and manuscripts which I beg you to undertake to send off to Mr. Belloni's address in Paris.
On Easter Monday we shall give the first performance of "Comte Ory." [By Rossini] Would you not feel tempted to come and hear it? It is a charming work, brimming over and sparkling with melody like champagne, so that at the last rehearsal I christened it the "Champagner-Oper" ["Champagne Opera.">[ and in order to justify this title our amiable Intendant proposes to regale the whole theater with a few dozens of champagne in the second act, in order to spirit up the chorus.
"Qu'il avait de bon vin le Seigneur chatelain!"