BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Tuesday, November 15, 1825

Today is a national holiday, the name day of deceased Emperor Leopold II, who died in 1792. Since then, the Feast of St. Leopold on this date was observed, with most businesses closed and theaters open only for charitable or benefit concerts.

Uncle Ludwig visits Nephew Karl at his rooms at the Schlemmer house. Ludwig thinks that because of the cook it would have been better to take the other housekeeper. “What frightens me is that, before the bad incident [what that incident was is unclear], she had already ruined this maid, which is terrible for me.”

Karl has more confidence in Theresia Adelmann than Uncle Ludwig. She would not claim that she can do something that she couldn’t. Frau Schlemmer has also spoken about her housekeeping and cooking and found her to be very knowledgeable in both.

“We often have game meat, and always better prepared than the housekeepers made it. We have also been betrayed that way with the rabbit that they calculated as so expensive, and then sold the pelt for at least 1 florin or even more.”

Adelmann is coming tomorrow morning at 7:30 for her trial. She wants to cook right away. “That is good; therefore you can eat at home right away. She is only taking her bedding with her; then she will see what more she needs. The woman will value money better. She is very active; she is not one of those ladies who believe themselves offended if they had to do a job that was actually a maid’s job; she does everything herself.”

A suspicious Uncle Ludwig addresses landlord Matthais Schlemmer, inquiring about Karl’s staying out carousing and playing billiards. Schlemmer, who as a government employee has the day off today, responds, “I can assure you on my honor that he has never remained out overnight; also I must tell you that your nephew is home daily in the evening; also he only goes out in the morning when it is time for school. If, however, he were to go play [billiards], it would have to be instead of school.”

“Otherwise he is at home, and it cannot be that he goes to play. Compared to the beginning, he has changed for the better during the time that he has been here. Today while eating, at mid-day, he fretted that his tutor is not completely satisfied, that he is unorganized in his classes.”

Uncle Ludwig raises this point with Karl, who responds, “The classes are not difficult for me; also, I could not have taken earlier what I am taking with him, because we only take the subjects that will be taken up in the lectures. Because of the classes with him, I am spared several hours when I would have to work all on my own.”

“I would only be glad if you inquired; the professors would have to know about every day that I was absent, because attendance is taken. Also, Herr von Reisser sees me daily.”

Uncle Ludwig, seemingly satisfied, asks whether Karl needs any clothing or books. “Nothing by the way of clothing,” Karl answers. “I only need one more book. It is required by the Professor and is indispensable for mercantile accounting.”

Karl assures his uncle that he will come to mid-day dinner tomorrow to check on Adelmann’s trial cooking. He asks how the maid is behaving herself. Uncle Ludwig heads back to his apartment.

Conversation Book 98, 32v-35r.

A vocal and instrumental Akademie concert for the benefit of public charities is held today in honor of St. Leopold’s Day at the Kärntnertor Theater. The program of more than a dozen works opens with Beethoven’s popular Overture to Fidelio. Leipzig Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung (Nr.51) of December 21, 1825 at 842. The account of the benefit concert in the Wiener Theater-Zeitung of Thursday, November 29, 1825 (Nr.143) at 587-588 notes that it was “attended by the highest court and a numerous audience, and met with great acclaim. Under the direction of Court Kapellmeister [Michael] Umlauf [(1781-1842)], with Herr Schuppanzigh, a member of the Imperial Court Orchestra, conducting as first violin, all the musicians performed with great precision. The first section began with Beethoven’s Overture from ‘Fidelio,‘ the second with Cherubini’s ‘Tage der Gefahr.’ They were performed excellently and with great applause.” The account of this concert in the December 1, 1825 Wiener Theaterzeitung (Nr.144) at 591 states, “The Overture to the opera ‘Fidelio‘ by van Beethoven, was performed entirely in the spirit of the composer, which can never be doubted when Messrs. Umlauf and Schuppanzigh are at the helm.”