[Liszt, Franz.]

detailing the rupture between Liszt and and his lover, the writer Marie d'Agoult, stating that, for over a year she has seen the dark, thick cloud approaching which will finally burst "...ce nuage noir et épais qui se déchargera en fin..." that she had hoped for things to be otherwise for [Liszt and d'Agoult], and she had been pleased when he came alone to Nonnenwerth, that far from blaming or judging him, she loves and admires him, but that by nature he is not a man suited to lasting relationships or marriage and it is a miracle she has managed to keep him for ten years ... that Marie's letter proved to her that her eyes had been opened "...vous avez perdu toute illusion..." that once this happens to a woman, she never loves again, that he started by wounding her heart and finished by wounding her pride, that men lose their passion but not their love, and he will love her forever and never forget her...referring to reports that Karl Marx is subject to an arrest warrant in Prussia "...il y a des ordres très sévères pour l'enfermer aussi tôt qu'il se fera voir en Prusse..." perhaps because of the appearance of a scandalous pamphlet attacking the King, and to Bettina von Arnim, who is becoming even more revolutionary and communist

Nonnenwerth, 17 May 1844 to 11 December 1845, 82 pages, 8vo (c.21 x 14cms), some browning 

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The letters of Baroness Marie von Czettritz-Neuhaus form a candid account of the final stage of Liszt and Marie d’Agoult’s romance. Born in scandal and mired by infidelities on both sides, the liaison between the composer-virtuoso and the beautiful, impulsive heiress was a quintessentially Romantic one. It produced three illegitimate children and inspired a number of literary works, including Balzac's Béatrix.

Baroness Czettritz was the couple’s closest neighbour on the Rhine island of Nonnenwerth (a place Marie described as “the tomb of my dreams, of my ideals, the remains of my hopes”), where they stayed several times between 1841 and ’43. She became a confidant to both parties and was thus well placed to draw their relationship in her correspondence.

Highly intimate in tone, the letters contain heartfelt displays of empathy “...j’ai tant souffert avec vous et pour vous le dernier temps, que je suis presque alarmée qu’il soit arrivé quelque chose d’agréable...", admonitions "...je vous prie une fois que vous avez eu la force de renoncer restez ferme...” and frank appraisals of Liszt’s character "...selon sa nature ce n’est pas un homme pour une liaison durable ni pour le marriage, et c’est un miracle que vous avez fait de l’attacher et le captiver pour 10 ans...”. Of further interest are the many colourful allusions to pre-eminent figures (including Karl Marx, George Sand and Bettina von Arnim) and events of the time.