Hermann LEVI (1839-1900). L.A.S., München (Munich) February 8, 1893, to a colleague; 2 1/2 pages in-8 (splits repaired with scotch tape); in German. Interesting letter from the conductor about his fate and his future replacement as head of music at the Munich Opera, following the resignation of Baron de Perfall. [Karl, Baron de Perfall (1824-1907), composer and author of four operas and lieder, had been appointed Intendant of the Bavarian Court Music in 1864, and was also Intendant of the Munich Opera (Hofoper) from 1867 to 1893. Hermann Levi, Munich's first Hofkapellmeister since 1872 and appointed Generalmusikdirector in 1894, held the post until 1896, when he resigned for health reasons]. Baron de Perfall's resignation changed the situation with regard to the Kapellmeister question ("die Kapellmeister-Frage"). It was felt that, alongside Levi, another first-rate force should be engaged: "Man findet, daß neben mir noch eine Kraft allerersten Ranges engagirt werden soll". He doesn't feel old, but he's considered old; and he needs support. Ernst von Possart (director of the Royal Theatres) has entered into negotiations with a conductor, a man of European reputation whose recruitment would be of immeasurable benefit: "ein Mann von europäischem Rufe, und seine Gewinnung wäre für unser Institut ein unermeßlicher Gewinn". Of course, there would be no room next to him for his colleague: "natürlich wäre neben uns Beiden und Fischer für Sie kein Platz mehr!" The Rienzi project had to be abandoned. But Levi will propose his correspondent as successor to the position of the requested person as first conductor: "Der Betreffende ist auch jetzt in einer angesehenen Stellung, und ich werde Sie als seinen Nachfolger vorschlagen. [...] Man will einen ersten Dirigenten, und soll ihn haben!"...