Ferdinand Ries, Brief an Franz Gerhard Wegeler in Koblenz, Frankfurt am Main, 10. September 1827, Autograph

Ries has presented the opera "The robber's bride" to various experts for their opinion. He had already told Wegeler about the negative response from Bohemian baritone and music director of the Prague Theatre Franz Hauser (1794-1870) although the comments were for Ries only. Hauser then assured it had not been his intention to hurt the poet's feelings. Karl Ferdinand Wilhelm Guhr (1787-1848), director of the Frankfurt Opera, violinist, conductor and composer, critizised the libretto as well. A third friend who is engaged in composing and writing poetry rejected the second and third act. Ries is particularly happy about the suggestions from Georg Döring (1789-1833). Döring, an oboist and writer, is an expert for opera texts and offers to implement the changes for payment. He recommends dispensing with iambs, particularly in the dialogues. All characters and the plot should be reviewed while some elements should be copied from the first act. Döring recommends to compose a new textbook. In case of an adaptation Johann Joseph Reiff would have to transfer his text rights and must not be named as author. To solve this problem, Ries sees the following two options: To give up everything to not offend Reiff after all his efforts or to acquire the rights for adaptation of the libretto from him and not mention any of the writers in the opera's title (finally Ries chose the latter; neither the autograph nor the first edition contain the name of the librettist.) There is a lot at stake for Ries. After all, he aims to establish himself as opera composer with his first work and to compete with Louis Spohr (1784-1859), the only German opera composer of relevance. Ries will only make a decision after having received Wegeler's opinion. (FG)