ALS in Italian, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 7, Torre della Tagliata letterhead, July 4, 1920. Letter to Renzo Valcarenghi, director of the Ricordi publishing house. In full (translated): "I telegraphed you the result of London, to Paris where I thought to see you during my passing through—I know now that you are there—and I write you to tell you that during my short stay there, I spoke with the management of the Opera-Comique, but Carre told me that I would make too much money, and therefore it would be impossible to give my other operas at the Opera-Comique, because they would have him shot. Mr. Isola who accompanied me in the car said to me, however, that the matter could be arranged and that you should trust him—I know the whys and wherefores of M. Carre's reply—it is still the same old story, the war against me by the French colleagues, on account of the predominance of my works at the Opera-Comique. Why not try to give Il Trittico at the Grand Opera? I therefore ask you to speak with its management, but cordially and with urgency, not as it was done last year by Clausetti, which makes me suspect that at the Comique as much as at the Opera, promises had already been made for 'Concita' and 'Francesca.' I return to Torre del Lago after tomorrow. Write to me there. I wish you a good trip to Paris, and all best wishes." In fine condition.
Puccini had been in London for the English premiere of Il Trittico at Covent Garden on June 18th, stopping in Paris for a few days on his return home to Torre della Tagliata, an ancient Etruscan tower on the Tuscan seashore that he had purchased for use as a vacation house. In this letter, he references Albert Carre, the important impresario and director of the Paris Opera-Comique who staged nearly all Puccini operas for the first time in the French language. A desirable, insightful letter from the hand of the master composer as he attempts to see his works performed on the French stage.
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