5.October.1912

Dear Giacomo,

   I would have written to you sooner, had I not been occupied with the preparation of our annual Financial Statement and other affairs.

   Meanwhile, you will already have heard that a full agreement was reached with Leonardi — I am happy for you, with the sincere hope that — as far as this matter is concerned — you will have no further annoyances.

   As for your stance with regard to Illica — to whom I know you have already written — I should tell you that I too had written him, responding to a letter where he spoke of Pozza and the Russian subject, preparing him for your defection — now he has written to me again and I see that he has not been disheartened by this at all.

   I know you're reconsidering "Anima allegra" — it's always on my mind, and as proof I enclose a copy of a letter I wrote some days ago to the Quintero Brothers. We'll see what they answer. For me, if you do "Anima allegra" I think you'll need to dive whole-heartedly into Spain and create a Spain that no one has ever done, with Solead, Malagueñas, and characteristic dances — with guitars and castanets and full-throated Andalusian embellishments etc. etc. I have some extremely interesting recordings on disc here in Milan — if you still have the gramophone I'll send them to you.

   Regarding the four acts, I'm convinced they are necessary, and I can send you the 1st, 3rd, and 4th acts shortly. But if you manage to find a way with Adami to merge the 3rd and 4th acts together, so much the better. Adami is at your disposal and he can come to Torre del Lago whenever you wish. The single act would mean eliminating the flower finale — unless you were to keep it as the conclusion of the opera.

   Since the issue with Illica has been adjusted for now, nothing prevents you from composing "Anima allegra" — and meanwhile Illica and Pozza can look for something else.

   Let me know how you are doing, with news that is good and not discouraging but rather full of enthusiasm and hope.

An embrace from

yours fondly

Tito Ricordi