Ludwig van Beethoven, Billet an Ignaz von Gleichenstein, Wien, November/Dezember 1808, Autograph

Beethoven proudly informs his friend that the Westphalian court has offered him an annuity of 600 gold ducats.

Following the peace of Tilsit in July 1807 Napoleon had given his brother Jérôme the newly- founded kingdom of Westphalia. Jérôme held court in Kassel with great splendour and finery.

Johann Friedrich Reichardt was the first court opera director and musical director, but after only ten months he fell out of favour. The court approached Beethoven to become his successor at the end of October 1808. Beethoven toyed with this attractive offer - the position would have provided him with prestige, a title and a decent salary. To prevent him from leaving Vienna, three Austrian noblemen (Prince Lobkowitz, Prince Kinsky and Archduke Rudolph) finally joined forces and offered Beethoven an annuity - with no strings attached except the freedom to compose. It was this annuity of 1 March 1809 which did, in fact, occasion Beethoven to turn down the position in Kassel and to remain in Vienna.