Letter 2571

Tchaikovsky Research
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Date 20 October/1 November 1884
Addressed to Glikeriya Fedotova
Where written Saint Petersburg
Language Russian
Autograph Location Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve (a3, No. 415)
Publication П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XII (1970), p. 464

Text and Translation

Russian text
(original)
English translation
By Brett Langston
Многоуважаемая Гликерия Николаевна!

Брат мой Модест написал пиэсу в 3-х актах «Лизавета Николаевна», которая литер[атурно]-театральным комитетом единогласно одобрена к представлению. Здесь в Петербурге пиэса эта, вероятно, пойдёт в бенефис Стрепетовой или во всяком случае в этом сезоне. Живейшее желание моего брата и моё было бы, чтобы Вы прочли пиэсу и сочувственно отнеслись к главной роли, которая в случае исполнения «Лизаветы Николаевны» на московской сцене нуждается в Вашем превосходнейшем таланте для того, чтобы быть надлежащим образом воспроизведённой.

Не соблаговолите ли прочесть пиэсу и высказать Ваше мнение? На сей конец прилагаю рукопись. Я буду в скором времени в Москве и сочту приятным долгом посетить Вас. Если же Вы удостоите моего брата письменным ответом, то потрудитесь адресовать Мод[есту] Ильичу Чайковскому, Фонтанка, № 15.

Искренно преданный и глубоко уважающий Вас,

П. Чайковский

Петербург, 20 окт[ября] 1884

Most respected Glikeriya Nikolayevna!

My brother Modest has written a 3-act play "Lizaveta Nikolayevna" [1], which the literary-theatrical committee unanimously approved for production. Here in Petersburg this play will probably be put on for Strepetova's benefit [2], or in any case in this season. My brother's most fervent wish, and mine, would be for you to read through the play and to be possessed with sympathy for the principal role, which in the event that "Lizaveta Nikolayevna" were to be performed on the Moscow stage, would require such a superior talent as yours in order to be portrayed fittingly.

Would you be kind enough to read through the play and give your opinion? To this end I enclose the manuscript. I will shortly be in Moscow, and consider it a pleasant duty to visit you. If you were to honour my brother with a written reply, then kindly address it to Modest Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Fontanka, No. 15 [3].

With sincere devotion and profound respect for you,

P. Tchaikovsky

Petersburg, 20 October 1884

Notes and References

  1. Modest Tchaikovsky's play Lizaveta Nikolayevna was first performed on 11/23 December 1884 at the Aleksandrinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg.
  2. Palageya Antipovna Strepetova (1850-1903), dramatic actress at the Aleksandrinsky Theatre.
  3. No reply to either the composer or his brother Modest has survived from Glikeriya Fedotova, and ultimately Lizaveta Nikolayevna was not produced in Moscow.