Franz Liszt

ALS in French, signed “F. Liszt,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 7.5, April 9, 1866. Handwritten letter to his friend Joseph d'Ortigue, arranging a small recital with fellow composers Hector Berlioz and Berthold Damcke. In part (translated): "Yes, dear d'Ortigue, I need you to do me a favor, and I hope you will do it heartily. United at heart on so many essential matters, I really would like us to become one in spirit on others. For this, I think a half hour of frank talk should suffice.

From the very first days of my arrival here I have told Léon Kreutzer that I did not want to let my old friends have an equivocal opinion about my sincere and serious good will in Music. Before I leave, I am going to explain my pieces to him by hand and with the help of the piano under my fingers, and I will ask you, dear d'Ortigue, to attend this private meeting, along with Berlioz and maybe Damcke (if Léon wants to invite him).

Do not think that I am playing the role of Oronte and saying 'my verse is pretty good!' For your part, don't be more like Misanthropes than necessary, and let me communicate loyally with you, for our reciprocal instruction." He adds a handwritten postscript, signed "F.," in full (translated): "I will have the great pleasure of seeing you tomorrow night at Madame Mathieu's, and on Friday at 2:00 for [Cesar] Franck's organ performance at Sainte Clotilde that interests me greatly." In fine condition.