| Content | The letter states that, following an inquiry from the directorate on 29 November 1937, the opera administrator Václav Talich announced that he wanted to perform Bohuslav Martinů's JULIETTE before Alban Berg's Lulu, even though it was originally scheduled for March. He also agrees and welcomes the composer's wish that the work be directed by Jindřich Honzl and that František Muzika take over the set design. Negotiations on the terms of cooperation were initiated with the two artists by letter of 3 December 1937, on the basis of which this report and proposal are submitted. There are no special difficulties in the case of cooperation with FM, as a regular collaborator of the National Theatre he will make the proposal as part of his regular activities and under the same conditions under which he usually works. However, the exact terms have not yet been agreed, as the rate and manner of work will depend on the director's particular disposition. Therefore, it is necessary to first agree with the director, who must also define his requirements in terms of art. For the time being, therefore, no final proposal can be made. The collaboration with JH is more difficult, the collaboration will be more costly than in the case of another director who would do the work in his official capacity or only as a side job. JH is working at the Liberated Theatre at this time, he would have to take time off from this work for the necessary period of time, so he is asking for compensation for lost earnings. JH estimates the time (and not unreasonably) at two months and as his service salary is 3,500,- per month, he is asking for a total fee of 7,000,- for directing. As the task will fully employ JH and a period of two months does not exceed the likelihood of continued employment, especially if VT requires his presence from the start of the trials, the Directorate accepts the requested fee as reasonable. It therefore requests approval to entrust the directorship to JH for the above fee. |