Page:The history of Mendelssohn's oratorio 'Elijah'.djvu/132

 HISTORY OF MENDELSSOHN'S "ELIJAH."

knows how to value them, and who will always remain thankful to you !

" The second part of ' Elijah ' will in very short time be in Mr. Buxton's [Ewer & Co.] hands. And now, my dear Sir, let me repeat to you my heartfelt thanks for all you did again for me when they performed the ' Athalie ' choruses,* and for your interesting report of all the proceedings before and during that performance, and for all the kindness and friendship which you always show me.

" Always very truly and sincerely yours,

" Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy."

" L[eipzig], February 2nd, 1S47.

" P.S. — This letter has been detained till to-day, when I send a great parcel to Mr. Buxton.

" Now I must add a few things about the second part of ' Elijah,' which I send to-day. In the Recit. No. 33, * Hear me speedily, Lord,' I have altered the beginning of the words thus : —

�� ��Herr, es wird Nacht um mich ! Sei du nicht fer - ne ! Ver-birgdein,&c. I Kings, xix., 9. Ps. xxii., 12, 20.

Pray alter the English words accordingly, and look that the following alterations are made in the music

• Performed, with the original French words and Mendelssohn's music, before the Queen, and at the instigation of the Prince Consort, at Windsor Castle, on New Year's Day, 1S47. This was the first performance of " Athalie " in England. ( iio )

�� �