[Footnote 1: In Schindler's Beethoven's Nachlass there is also an autograph Canon of Beethoven's in F major, 6/8, on Count Lichnowsky, on the words, Bester Herr Graf, Sie sind ein Schaf, written (according to Schindler) Feb. 20th, 1823, in the coffee-house "Die Goldne Birne," in the Landstrasse, where Beethoven usually went every evening, though he generally slipped in by the backdoor.]
125.
TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.
1814.
I hope you forgive me for not having come to you. Your displeasure would be totally undeserved, and I will amply compensate for lost time in a few days. My Opera of "Fidelio"[1] is again to be performed, which gives me a great deal to do; moreover, though I look well, I am not so in reality. The arrangements for my second concert[2] are partly completed. I must write something new for Mdlle. Milder.[3] Meanwhile it is a consolation to me to hear that Y.R.H. is so much better. I hope I am not too sanguine in thinking that I shall soon be able to contribute towards this. I have taken the liberty to apprise my Lord Falstaff[4] that he is ere long to have the honor of appearing before Y.R.H.
[K.]
[Footnote 1: Letters 125 and 126 refer to the revival of the Opera of Fidelio, which had not been given since 1806, and was not again produced on the stage till the 23d May, 1814, in the Kärnthnerthor Theatre. Beethoven's benefit took place on the 8th July, two newly composed pieces being inserted.]
[Footnote 2: Beethoven gave a concert on the 2d January, 1814, when Wellington's Victory was performed, and on the 26th March another for the benefit of the Theatrical Fund, at which the Overture to Egmont and Wellingtons's Victory were given, directed by Beethoven himself.]
[Footnote 3: Anna Milder, Royal Court opera singer, a pupil of Vogl's, who first sang the part of Leonore in Fidelio.]
[Footnote 4: By "my Lord Falstaff" he means the corpulent violinist Schuppanzigh.]