Ferdinand Ries, Brief an Franz Gerhard Wegeler in Koblenz, Frankfurt am Main, 8. April 1830, Autograph

So far, Ries's search for an opera libretto has been unsuccessful. Obviously, Wegeler asked him about Gioacchino Rossini's opera "Wilhelm Tell". Knowing the opera very well, Ries describes its strengths and weaknesses in detail. However, he does not believe it will have permanent success. Gottfried Weber particularly enjoyed Ries's overture for the "The bride of Messina" op. 162, which will soon be performed for the first time at the Lower Rhine Music Festival in Düsseldorf. Ries is working on the piano sonata op. 160 for four hands. Paganini is giving concerts in Frankfurt and will stay throughout summer. A visit of the Ries family in Koblenz has to be postponed. (FG)