Hector BERLIOZ. L.A.S., Paris 30 June [1862], to the violinist Henry Vieuxtemps; 2 pages in-8 (small mourning). On the death of his wife Marie Recio (13 June), and the forthcoming rehearsals for his opera Béatrice et Bénédict, which will be premiered on 9 August at the new theatre in Baden. "My dear Vieuxtemps, I thank you for your kind letter and your friendly offer. Cruel circumstances, such as those in which I find myself, at least serve to make the afflicted aware of good hearts and indifferent people... you are one of the first; it could not be otherwise, one is not such a great artist without having soul. I will not be able to take advantage of your invitation, it is impossible for me to leave Paris because of the rehearsals of the opera in two acts that I will give at the new theatre in Baden on August 9. He greets Mme Vieuxtemps, and adds: " God preserve you from the isolation in which I find myself... We have never travelled nor lived alone, neither of us... It is very strange and very sad "... Correspondance générale, t. VI, n° 2628.