ROME, January 9th, 1884
Dear Bjornson:
THANK you for your New Year’s letter. And pardon me for waiting until to-day to send you an answer. You must not think that in the mean time I have been in doubt regarding the matter. To me there was nothing to consider; immediately after I had read your letter I had the answer ready, and here it is.
I neither can nor will take any leading position at the Christiania Theatre. My theatrical experiences and the recollections of home are not of such a nature that I should feel any inclination to revive them in practice. I might certainly feel a responsibility and a duty in the matter if I thought that as director I could do anything to the advantage of our dramatic art; but of this I despair greatly. Our theatre staff is demoralized, will not submit to discipline and yield absolute obedience; and moreover, we have a press which is ever ready to support the refractory ones against the leader. This is the chief reason with us why we cannot, as in other countries where the anarchistic tendencies are less developed, obtain any real ensemble. I do not think I could succeed in changing these conditions to something better; for they are too closely connected with our whole national view of life; and moreover, my inclination for the practical business of the theatre is too small. Therefore I would not under any circumstances undertake this matter.
But, dear Bjornson, the main point, however, is this, that it is not me at all whom the committee wants. For it is you and no one else. Whether the hesitation which you feel in accepting the offer is quite unconquerable I naturally cannot judge; but I would feel a hearty joy for the sake of the whole matter if it were not. I shall of course assume under all circumstances that you will reject the offer only after the closest consideration.
But whatever you make up your mind to do yourself, the proper authorities ought to provide that your son be attached to the theatre — that is if he is willing. Last fall I exchanged a couple of letters with him concerning other affairs, and I still further gained confirmation of my conviction that in him we would be able to get just that technical theatrical officer whom we most of all need. Schroder might then, in case of need, remain, — that is provided you cannot by any means accept the committee’s offer.
Besides, I must say that I am not quite sure whether the Christiania public at present really feels the need of a good theatre. The concourse which the operettas and equestrian performances at Tivoli almost always can enjoy, and the interest which is shown in the students’ and shopmen’s amateur performances, seems to me to suggest a point of culture which not yet quite grasps the true dramatic art. For that reason I regret that the opera at the Christiania Theatre was abandoned. The opera requires less culture of its public than does the drama. Therefore, it flourishes in the large garrison cities, in the mercantile cities, and wherever a numerous aristocracy is gathered. But from an opera public may be gradually developed a dramatic public. And for the theatre’s staff, also, the opera has a disciplinary power; under the baton the individual has to place himself in perfect submission.
The other points in your letter I shall return to at another time. Cordial thanks for the photographs. Best regards to your wife from us. Also regards to the Lie family. I wait with great anxiety to learn your final decision in the theatre matter. Thanks, thanks, and may success attend “A Gauntlet” and “Pastor Sang.” Stage them yourself now. Farewell for this time.
Yours truly,
HENRIK IBSEN