Robert von Thal

Russian consul-general in Paris from 1860 to 1883 (b. 1808; d. 1895), born Robert Christian von Thal. He was known in Russia as Robert Khristianovich fon Tal (Роберт Христианович фон Таль).

Tchaikovsky corresponded with von Thal in connection with the Paris Exposition of 1878, at which the composer was supposed to be a delegate (although he subsequently asked to be released from that commitment).

Correspondence with Tchaikovsky

3 letters from Tchaikovsky to Robert von Thal have survived, dating from 1877 and 1878, all of which have been translated into English on this website:

• Letter 699a – 21 December 1877/2 January 1878, from San Remo
• Letter 702a – 23 December 1877/4 January 1878, from San Remo
• Letter 713a – 1/13 January 1878, from San Remo

One letter from Robert von Thal to the composer, dating from 26 December/7 January 1878, is preserved in the Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve at Klin (a⁴, No. 4242).

Bibliography

• Ein bisher unbekannter Brief Čajkovskijs, San Remo, 23. XII. 1877 / 4. I. 1878 (2004)