Newport, R.I., U.S.A., Feb. 10, 1900
Herr Rheinberger -
My dear Sir:
Your second letter came duly to hand for which accept sincere thanks. I sent you some days ago the program, two or three copies, together with the notices of the concert from our two daily papers. I trust you will receive them in due time.
You say you wrote „Montfort“ in 1887[1]. Is the publisher wrong when he dates the copyright 1886, or was the work copyrighted before it was written? The printed copies give always this date 1886. I speak of this again simply for the sake of accuracy - Genauigkeit, and because so many errors occur in all the authorities as to dates of composition and performance of musical and other works. Your second letter did not reach me in time to be used for the note on our program, but should we give the work again, the added information will be inserted in a similar note, or furnished to any other society giving the work.
The performance was on the whole, satisfactory. Any defects therein were chiefly due to the failure of the chorus to attend the rehearsals with sufficient regularity. I am not able as yet to secure the attendance of all members at all rehearsals, and the music cannot be properly learned or with certainty thoroughly well rendered at the concert until all the chorus know it thoroughly. For this all rehearsals must be attended by all.
The work was very much liked by the audience, though the applause was not excessive - due, doubtless, to the fact that our concert was given in a church.
We are glad, however, to have brought your fine work to the knowledge of the Newport people, and through the sole artists to other places. It was no doubt the second performance in America, and the first in the Eastern part of the country.
Again thanking you for your letters with sincere esteem
yours always
Alfred G. Langley
Conductor Phil. Soc.
/P.S./ On May 17th we give Beethovens Mass in C; Crucifixus and Resurexit from Bach B minor Mass, etc..
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[1] you wrote „Montfort“ in 1887 = Es scheint sich um einen Irrtum des Komponisten zu handeln. „Montfort“ entstand in der Zeit vom November 1885 bis Mai 1886 und erschien noch im selben Jahr bei Rob. Forberg in Leipzig. (Vgl. auch Band VI S. 16ff.)