Gaspare SPONTINI (1774-1851). L.A.S., Berlin June 6, 1840, t - Lot 204

Gaspare SPONTINI (1774-1851). L.A.S., Berlin June 6, 1840, to M. Nutly in Paris; 2 pages in-4, address (letter split at folds). Moving letter on the impending death of his protector Frederick William III of Prussia [he died the following day, June 7, 1840], and on his complicated relations with Paris. Our very good and excellent King, who for twenty years has been my best friend, my Father, is approaching his supreme hour! and perhaps by the time this letter leaves, he will be no more! The general consternation and mourning, for the last eight days, I cannot paint it for you! it seems as if death is hovering in the air [...] He is dying in the midst of his uncountable Family of three generations! only the Emperor Nicholas is missing, whom we are waiting for ... Then he speaks of the Institut, and explains his conduct towards the Académie des Beaux-Arts (where he was elected on June 15, 1839): everything depends on my will! but, as long as the Opéra, and the Minister of the Interior cover me with their contempt, I will keep as far away from Paris as possible! and if they have the infamy to perform my Cortez, without my attendance, despite my opposition, I will never set foot there again, and I will doom them all to infamy, to opprobrium; I will cry murder for my works... He then transcribed and annotated the letter addressed to him by the future King Frederick William IV, on May 29, concerning his work on the reform of church music; the Royal Prince praised Spontini's work, shared his observations, and encouraged his project: Tachez de faire de manière que les Églises Allemandes (du culte romain) profittent des Bibliothèques de musique sacrée [....] In general, the music of Catholic churches in Germany is almost as bad as that in Italy, though avoiding the scandal of profane melodies ...