s of the Opera
["Fidelio" which was about to be again performed]. It has decided me once
more to rebuild the desolate ruins of an ancient fortress.

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

121.

TO TREITSCHKE.

The affair of the Opera is the most troublesome in the world, and there is
scarcely one part of it which quite satisfies me now, and that I have not
been obliged to _amend by something more satisfactory_. But what a
difference between this, and giving one's self up to freely flowing thought
and inspiration!

122.

TO TREITSCHKE.

1814.

I request, my dear T., that you will send me the score of the song [in
"Fidelio," _Geld ist eine schoene Sache_], that the interpolated notes may
be transcribed in all the instrumental parts; though I shall not take it at
all amiss if you prefer that Girowetz or any other person, perhaps
Weinmueller [who sang the part of Rocco], should do so. This I have nothing
to say against, but I will not suffer my composition to be altered by any
one whatever, be he who he may.

I am, with high consideration,

Your obedient

BEETHOVEN.

123.

TO COUNT MORITZ LICHNOWSKY.[1]

MY DEAR COUNT,--

If you wish to attend our council [about the alterations in "Fidelio"], I
beg to inform you that it assembles this afternoon at half-past three
o'clock, in the Spielmann Haus, auf dem Graben, No. 188, 4th Etage, at Herr
Weinmueller's. I shall be very glad if you have leisure to be present.

[Footnote 1: The mention of Weinmueller decides the date of this note, as it
was in the spring of 1814 that he, together with the singers Saal and Vogl,
brought about the revival of _Fidelio_.]

124.

TO COUNT MORITZ LICHNOWSKY.[1]

My dear, victorious, and yet sometimes nonplussed (?) Count! I hope that
you rested well, most precious and charming of all Counts! Oh! most beloved
and unparalleled Count! most fascinating and prodigious Count!

[Music: Treble clef, E-flat Major, 2/2 time.
Graf Graf Graf Graf (in 3-part harmony)
Graf (in 3-part counterpoint)
Graf Graf Graf, liebster Graf, liebstes Schaf,
bester Graf, bestes Schaf! Schaf! Schaf!]

(_To be repeated at pleasure_.)

At what hour shall we call on Walter to-day? My going or not depends
entirely on you. Your

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: In Schindler's _Beethoven's Nachlass_ there is also an
autograph Canon of Beethoven's in F major, 6/8, on Count Lichnowsky, on the
words, _Bester Herr Graf, Sie sind ein Schaf_, written (according to