BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Saturday, May 6, 1826 (approximately)

A single leaf from a now-lost conversation book used around today survives in the Bonn Beethovenhaus, BH 53, pp.4-5. Former unpaid assistant Anton Schindler visits Beethoven, delivering the text of a libretto for a romantic opera in three acts, “Die Mainacht oder der Blocksberg” [The May Night, or The Blocksberg]. This libretto had been written for Duport, manager of the Kärntnertor Theater by composer, journalist and poet Friedrich August Kanne. Schindler had approached Beethoven in late April about Duport’s proposition that he compose the music for this work. Duport offers his greetings and a handshake, and Kanne’s libretto to look through. “He thinks it is very good, that the 1st act is rather cold, but that acts 2 and 3 are really excellent.”

Schindler advises that Kanne does not know anything about Beethoven being solicited to compose the opera, and Kanne should not find out about that right now [Kanne likely expects that he will get to write the music as well]. “Duport thinks that an opera of a romantic nature is the best and most advantageous for composer and theater in the spirit of our time.” As soon as Beethoven commits to write the score, Duport will send a written contract.

Schindler cannot stay long, since he is moving today, and has a rehearsal at the Kärntnertor Theater today. He says he will come back in 2 or 3 days to find out Beethoven’s decision. Beethoven tells him he won’t be able to get to it that quickly. Perhaps by next Sunday [May 14th]. Schindler says that he will probably go to Baden with Duport next Sunday, since Duport has invited him. He’ll come to see Beethoven on Monday [May 15th], if he will permit. That is agreeable, and Schindler departs.

The fact that just this one leaf with a conversation between Beethoven and Schindler survives suggests that Schindler may have destroyed the rest of this book for some reason.

Holz tells Karl that the housekeeper gave her two weeks’ notice today, according to the entry in Conversation Book 110 at 16r.