Henze-Digital, Briefedition
author: Henze, Hans Werner
language: en
availability: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Mit freundlicher Genehmigung der Hans Werner Henze-Stiftung (Dr. Michael Kerstan). (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

22 VI 56
Cara buzzetta

Strichzeichnung eines Vulkans

in order to make things clear, and as buzzetto is arrabbiato con me: all those things went by phone, and my interference was more than limited: When Ebert had said he couldn't do the production himself[^1] I was glad to propose my friend Visconti, who is very important for my life. But while I tried to get hold of him, one went on in Berlin. Only when Ebert had left they called me again telling me about Steckel. I did protest wildly, but it was too late, and Gutheim told me at the phone if I wanted the opera done I ought to stop protesting at once. I got very sour but had to give in. Nobody had told me that Butzi was called to Berlin. When I learnt it, I had already contacted Luchino, to whom if he would have accepted, a negative answer after such a storm of calls w o uld have been a stronger offense than that one Butzi got, and he sure didn't get it from me. This I want to make clear.

[^1: Henze spricht hier die Vorbereitungen der Uraufführung von König Hirsch an, die fragmentarisch am 23. September 1956 während der Berliner Festwochen stattfand. Regie führte Leonard Steckel, das Bühnenbild fertigte Jean-Pierre Ponnelle.]

As you see by my handwriting [Die Handschrift im vorangehenden Brief war noch sehr viel krakeliger.] I'm much better. Lots of work is waiting for me, and no holiday this year. I'm dreaming of Spain and next winter I shall take Spanish lessons. I envy you both you can go there. The idea I gotta go to Berlin in August is more than horrifying. [Im August 1956 begannen die Proben zur Uraufführung von König Hirsch in Berlin.] Especially as my life here is very nice and calm. A big hug and kisses to you and buzzetto your

hänschen

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