Page:The history of Mendelssohn's oratorio 'Elijah'.djvu/57

 BIRMINGHAM.

��it, but then she said she should not go to England, she had declined it already twice, it was quite impossible, etc., etc. ; so that I am sure that she will not come to London at least (for I did not make any direct enquiries about Birmingham and the Festival at that time). When you have determined what you will do, and if you have written, or if another (perhaps at Berlin) has negotiated for you, pray let me know of it, and I could then, perhaps, be of some use in removing some difficulties which might still arise, and in persuading her to accept the Festival, which I should be most happy to do. But at present, I am afraid, by beginning to talk or correspond with Jenny Lind about this subject, I would do your cause no good, and I therefore beg to be excused.

" Truly and sincerely yours,

" Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy."

��Nothing daunted, the Committee at their next meeting (January 30, 1S46) instructed Moore to ask Moscheles (who had been appointed Conductor- in-chief of the Festival) to use his influence with Jenny Lind. Although a good deal of pressure seems to have been brought to bear upon her to visit Birmingham for the purpose of singing in the first performance of " Elijah," it was of no avail. The reason of Jenny Lind's inability to come to England at that time may be traced to her fear of Mr. Alfred Bunn, the opera manager. Those who wish to follow the circumstances of that ( 39 ) D

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