Currently on display: Letter by Antonio Salieri of 21 July 1814 (autograph)
The file entitled Theater Correspondence, containing letters exchanged by Franz Joseph Maximilian, 7th Prince Lobkowicz, and later by his son Ferdinand Joseph, 8th Prince Lobkowicz with a wide range of musical and theatrical artists from across Europe, conceals many treasures. One of them is this letter from the Imperial Kapellmeister Salieri addressed to the above-mentioned Prince. Following Napoleon’s abdication in April 1814, the restoration of the Bourbons to the French throne, and the victory of the so-called Sixth Coalition, Europe was entering a period of peace and preparations for a new political order that would culminate in the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815). The composer aptly expressed the general joy at the return of peace in this letter, at the end of which he added a simple musical setting of the words Pacem, Alleluia, Pacem! (“Peace, Alleluia!”) together with the then almost obligatory Laus Deo (“Praise be to God”).
Salieri thanks the Prince for a letter of recommendation for the baritone Leoni, whom he met in Vienna, sang with, and discussed music with before the singer departed for Italy to visit his ill uncle. He also describes the uncertainty surrounding the planned peace celebrations for the visiting foreign monarchs and enthusiastically reports on the founding of a society of musical amateurs with a planned conservatory, intended to elevate the standard of musical art in Vienna (as had already occurred several years earlier in Prague). He emphasizes the importance of high-quality musical education and the crucial role of talented teachers, while also proposing a strategy for establishing a collection of musical scores from which students might perform.
You can read the translation of the original text below:
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Letter by Antonio Salieri of 21 July 1814 (autograph)
Your Highness!
Vienna, 21 July 1814
Mr Leoni delivered to me the letter which Your Highness graciously deigned to send to me through him. Personal acquaintance with this truly excellent baritone is as dear to me as he himself loves music and performs it admirably; this I had occasion to discover immediately after reading the above-mentioned precious letter, after which we spoke and sang Gluck and other composers for more than two hours. He told me — as I see from the date of Your Highness’s letter — that he has already been in Vienna for more than a month; however, he added that he had been unable to visit me earlier because he had been ill, and that he is now preparing to depart for Italy, where he has been summoned on account of a gravely ill uncle. Had he remained in Vienna, there would certainly have been interest in him, both because of the most powerful recommendation of Your Highness and because he would have fully deserved it.Everything here is still uncertain with regard to the festivities for the foreign sovereigns [the rulers of the countries of the Sixth Coalition]. Many among the public believe that
they will not come at all; many others that they will most certainly arrive. Within a short time everything will be decided. His Majesty, our most gracious sovereign, has approved the establishment of a society of musical amateurs in Vienna! I am immensely delighted by this, for I foresee that through this means the noble art will this year be brought to true perfection. Above all, it will serve for the more dignified and magnificent singing of the praises of God, as well as for the delight of us all in moments of repose in a manner far better than is generally customary here — both among amateurs and professionals — for competition will enter into the whole matter. Through this the art can only gain. Several sites have already been selected for the construction of a hall with a conservatory, for which a very beautiful plan has likewise been proposed, and in this matter too the sovereign’s approval is hoped for. The beginning will certainly proceed somewhat slowly and with difficulty; however, if the masters possess the discernment to distinguish true gold from false and persist in making good choices, we shall see among the pupils remarkable progress without extraordinary effort and with a saving of time, which is among the most important matters. Two persons, for example, play or sing the same correctly guided musical piece; one sweats during the performance and presents it only moderately, while the other performs it excellently and without effort. What is the reason? The first had poor foundations, the second excellent ones. It may be said that nature (and this is entirely true) does not grant everyone the same measure of ability in every field; nevertheless, it will always be the fault of the masters if they fail to recognize for which discipline the young pupil has talent and for which he does not. I have proposed everywhere that the generosity of the public should be encouraged, so that they might donate to the conservatory all the musical works they can spare. How many precious things it would thereby acquire! Otherwise those scores would merely remain food for worms!
Now it is time for me to end my prattling. A thousand thanks for the gracious expressions with which Your Highness honours me; and, respectfully kissing your hand, I have the honour to call myself
Your Highness’s
Most grateful and most devoted servant
Ant[onio]. Salieri