BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Monday, December 22, 1823

Nephew Karl notes that soon the days will become longer again. Ludwig asks why he thinks that, and is told that today is the Winter Solstice. Ludwig complains about the lack of light, and Karl says he is the “evergreen little flower.” [Editor Ted Albrecht notes that this may be a reference to Das Blümchen Wunderhold (The Wondrously Lovely Little Flower) that Beethoven set to music about 1792 and published as op.52/8 in 1805.]

Karl notes that Der Taucher by Schiller has been adapted into an opera, with music by Conradin Kreutzer. Karl reminds his uncle that Brother Johann will be coming with Count Moritz Lichnowsky tomorrow, Tuesday.

Johann wants to know what he should tell Duport about the conditions for the promised opera Melusine. He would like a reply within two days. [Beethoven does not answer him within two days, and Duport will continue to press for an answer for the next month.]

Conversation Book 50, 8r-8v.

Today, a musical Akademie concert is held for the benefit of the widows and orphans of musicians at the Court Theater. The program includes Haydn’s oratorio The Creation, Hob. XXI:2. The program will be repeated tomorrow, December 23.