Most highly
born and worthy Baron!
Please
be so kind as to let me have just a few words in your handwriting,
stating that you grant me the permission to have the following
parts of my opera ['Leonore'] fetched from the Chancery of the
Wiedener Theatre, namely, the first flute, the three trombone
and the four horn parts - I need them just for one day in order
to have those trifling details copied for me which for lack of
space could not be entered in the score; and also because Prince
Lobkowitz is thinking of having a performance of the opera at
his palace and has ask me for the score -- It so happens that
I am not very well, or I would have come myself to pay my respects
to you --
With
the greatest esteem,
Ludwig
von Beethoven