I am a very bad maker of programmes. If I had to deal with that sort of work, I should have to take the advice of an expert who could tell what sort of music would meet the taste of every individual public. Your mother might be your best adviser.
Wishing you every success. M. GARCIA..
Again he writes:—
Before you commence your tour you ought to give a complete rest to your voice. Prepare for work only a week before you begin.
Do not sing or study the "Elijah" nor any other music written for a baritone. For your organ the use of low notes is resting, therefore necessary.
Do not indulge in exaggerated display of power. Too much ambition in that respect is fatal.
A third runs as follows:—
You will do well not to limit yourself to singing easy songs, but also to attempt upon occasion such pieces as require the full use of your means. This will be an excellent preparation for your appearance in London, and it will give you the confidence in your powers and the facilities in using them necessary to enable you to take a place among the best of the profession. It will always give me pleasure to hear of your successes. Give my kindest regards to your mother.
After this I continued to see the maestro fairly often, and was not surprised to hear of his setting off in his ninety-seventh year to spend the winter in Egypt, or of his staying with his sister in Paris for a few days on his way home.