Letter 2329

Tchaikovsky Research
Date 16/28 August 1883
Addressed to Anna Merkling
Where written Podushkino
Language Russian
Autograph Location unknown
Publication П. И. Чайковский. С. И. Танеев. Письма (1951), p. 218
П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XII (1970), p. 212
Notes Manuscript copy in Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve (signature omitted)

Text and Translation

Based on a handwritten copy in the Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve at Klin, which may contain differences in formatting and content from Tchaikovsky's original letter.

Russian text
(original)
English translation
By Luis Sundkvist
16-го августа 1883 г[ода]

Милая Аня! Хотел сегодня ехать в Москву по делам с тем, чтобы остаться ночевать и завтра утром с тобой повидаться, — но и на меня напало нездоровье. Вот уж несколько дней, что я страдаю перемежающейся лихорадкой и сегодня встал такой больной, с такой ломотой во всём теле, что не решаюсь выехать. Если буду здоров, то послезавтра (18 числа) приеду до 12 часов утра к тебе.

Если же нет, то до свидания в Петербурге. Опера моя пойдёт в Питере, и я там наверно буду. Обнимаю.

16th August 1883

Dear Anya! Today I wanted to come to Moscow on business and stay over night, so that I could see you tomorrow morning, but I, too, have been beset by ill-health. For several days now I have been suffering from an intermittent fever, and ever since I got up today my whole body has been aching so much that I hesitate to set off in this state. If I am feeling better by then, I shall come to see you at 12 o'clock the day after tomorrow (the 18th).

If not, then we'll see each other in Petersburg. My opera is going to be put on in Piter, and I'll definitely be there [1]. I embrace you.

Notes and References

  1. Tchaikovsky's opera Mazepa was produced in Moscow and Saint Petersburg at the same time (on 3/15 February 1884 in Moscow, and on 7/19 February 1884 in Saint Petersburg). Tchaikovsky was not present at the Saint Petersburg performance — note by Vladimir Zhdanov in П. И. Чайковский. С. И. Танеев. Письма (1951), p. 218.