Novello, Ewer and Co. Dvořák Antonín

Feb 4, 1886

My dear Friend,

I was a little surprised at your last letter and the amount you ask us for “Ludmila”. We had been thinking about this and thought that 500 £ would have been a very fair amount.

You must kindly remember how much we have done to assist you in making the success you have made in England: of course the success is due chiefly to your own genius but without our help it would have taken a much longer time for you to have reached the same position. You must also remember that we gave you 200 £. For the “Hymnus” and for this work I do not think we shall even get enough to pay for the printing. The largest amount we can afford to give you for “Ludmila” is 650 £: this with the 100 £. I induced the committee at Leeds to give you for conducting will make 750 £ which I am sure you will agree with me is [a] very fair payment even for an oratorio.

We cannot of course criticize a work when we have only seen a portion of it and that only for a short time: but it seems to us that the soloists (except the soprano) will have very little to do: and it is certainly unfortunate that the tenor has so little to do: I do not think Lloyd would agree to sing the part at all. Trusting that you will be able to agree with what I have written.

I am, Yours always sincerely

Alfred H Littleton