Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Josephine Deym, Wien, März/April 1805, Autograph

Beethoven calms Josephine Deym. Prince Lichnowsky had probably seen the manuscript of a song (op. 32) with an intimate dedication to Josephine and had then questioned Nikolaus Zmeskall about the relationship between the two of them. For his part the latter had spoken to Josephine's aunt Susanna Guicciardi. However no specific details of the relationship between Beethoven and Josephine Deym were passed on. Beethoven was only encouraged to devote himself more to his opera project (op. 72).

Beethoven tells her that his motivation to work is not very great. He promises to tell her the reason for this in a personal conversation (Beethoven is referring to suicidal impulses, which he had had since 1801 on account of his increasing deafness). Finally he affirms his love for Josephine and hopes that her feelings for him are just as deep.