Ferdinand Ries, Brief an Franz Gerhard Wegeler in Koblenz, Frankfurt am Main, 17. März 1828, Autograph

Rehearsals for the opera "The robber's bride" have been suspended and the first performance has been postponed. Johann Joseph Reiff and Wegeler insist on publishing a counterstatement in the music magazine "Caecilia" (see W 57). Ries once more confirms his correct behaviour towards Reiff. Wegeler has approved the required adaptations. Ries paid both text poets the demanded remuneration. Therefore, he has not compromised Reiff. If the counterstatement is published, Ries's relationship with Döring will also worsen. However, he still needs Döring to write and publish articles about the new opera in his position as employee of five newspapers. Quoting two completely different reviews of his symphony op. 146 Ries suggest asking the audience instead of newspapers and postponing any actions to re-establish Reiff's honour until after the first performance. The only thing he could do without causing any problems for himself is to ask Gottfried Weber to state in the next edition of the magazine "Caecilia" that the name of "Mister Reiff" had inadvertently been omitted. (Such a statement was never published.) Ries regrets that for the first time in life he could not honour Wegeler's suggestion. (FG)