Ferdinand Ries, Brief an Franz Gerhard Wegeler in Koblenz, Frankfurt am Main, 11. Mai 1827, Autograph, Fragment

Ries has received the third act of the opera libretto "The robber's bride" and implements several changes. He misses emotion changes following the pattern of the operas "Ariadne on Naxos" and "Medea" by Georg Benda. His aim is to alternate the characters, increase the tension towards the end and "let it rip", all measures to reward his friend Reiff, the clandestine help and the poor composer. Experienced colleagues confirm, too, that the dramatic effect needs to be intensified. Ries is desperately waiting for the text of the first two acts. He wants Jacob Ihlée (1762-1827), co-director of the Frankfurt National Theatre, to shorten the text. (FG)