The two letters which you have done me the honor to address to me at Rome and Munich have reached me at the same time. I cannot but feel myself highly flattered at your kind proposition with regard to the performance of my Oratorio "Saint Elizabeth" at one of the concerts of the musical society over which you preside. The great renown of these concerts, the rare capability of their conductor Mr. Herbeck, the talent of the artists who take part in them, and the care that is taken to maintain the traditions of the musical glory of Vienna, make it very desirable for every serious composer to take a place in their programme. Thus I am most sincerely grateful to you, my Prince, for procuring me this honor, which however, much to my regret, I should not be able to accept without some delay.
It would be wearisome to enter into many details; one fact alone will suffice: the score of the "Elizabeth" is to be sent back to be engraved, and I promised the editor not to let it go anywhere else before its publication. Besides this the voice and orchestral parts which were used at the Wartburg are no longer available.
Kindly pardon me therefore that I cannot in this matter satisfy your favorable intentions as I should like. "What is deferred is not lost," says a proverb to which I prefer to attach myself today, while begging you to accept, my Prince, the expression of the sentiments of high esteem and consideration with which I have the honor to be
Your Highness's very humble and devoted servant,
F. Liszt
Munich, October 14th, 1867
57. To Eduard Liszt
Dearest Eduard,
My hearty thanks to you for your letter. It almost made me determine to send Prince Czartoryski an answer in the affirmative; but when I came to think the matter over more fully it did not seem suitable, considering my peculiar position. Enclosed is a copy of my letter to Czartoryski; I hope you may not disapprove of it; let me give you a few more reasons.
1st. I really cannot at present send off the only existing copy of the score of the "Elizabeth", for it is required for printing. Nor should I care to have the orchestra and chorus parts from Munich used, and this I wrote to Prince Cz. It was for this very same reason that I declined offers respecting performances of the "Elizabeth" from Dusseldorf, Leipzig, Dresden, etc.