I cannot
come to you myself, my dear brother in Apollo, for during the
last few days I have again been plagued with a wretched attack
of colic -- with regard to the subject for an opera, if you will
really condescending so far as to provide one, I should like this
time a libretto without dancing and recitatives -- I have considered
the question very carefully and I believe that when I have expounded
my reasons to you, you will admit that I am right -- in any case,
I think that we shall probably have to wait a bit; for that is
what those worshipful and high and mighty theatrical directors
have decreed -- I have so little reason to expect anything favourable
from them that's a thought That I shall certainly have to leave
Vienna and become a wanderer haunts me persistently --
Your
admirer
Beethoven