Frӧhlich thanks Levi and his wife for the lovely evening he spent at their home. He would like to propose a radio adaptation of Se questo è un uomo (If This Is a Man) to a radio station in Hamburg. He has read a few of Levi’s short stories and has passed them on to Frau Honeit, an editor at the publisher Christian Wegner.
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich Hamburg 22 Uhlenhorster Weg 17
Herrn Dott. Primo Levi Torino Corso Re Umberto 75
Hamburg, den 19.4.64
Lieber, verehrter Herr Levi,
jetzt, da ich wieder in Hamburg, scheint die Sonne, die ich in Italien (Florenz und Torino) vermissen mußte. Endlich scheint der Frühling zu kommen und nahtlos in den Sommer überzugehen. Wir haben jetzt schon Temperaturen von 21-23°.
Zunächst aber möchte ich Ihnen, insbesondere auch Ihrer Frau, herzlich für den liebenswürdigen Abend bei Ihnen danken.[1]Ich hoffe, daß ich Sie bald auch einmal in Hamburg bei mir empfangen darf. (Und dann bringen Sie bitte viel Zeit mit für all die Themen, die noch unerörtert blieben.)
Ihr Hörspiel-Manuskript Ist das ein Mensch habe ich mit großem Interesse gelesen, so weit das mir sprachlich möglich war. Ich finde es überaus gut. Ich habe vor, es zunächst dem Hamburger Funk zu geben. Nur ist der verantwortliche Herr im Augenblick verreist. Sobald er wieder hier ist, werde ich mit ihm darüber sprechen. Sie hören dann gleich von mir.
Ihre Erzählungen gab ich Frau Honeit zu lesen. (Ich selbst verstehe nicht so viel Italienisch.)[2]Aber ich habe die Hoffnung, daß Sie noch mehr Erzählungen schreiben und bald ein drittes Buch von Ihnen vorliegt. Es wäre zu bedauerlich, wenn Sie Ihre große schriftstellerische Begabung ungenutzt lassen. In Deutschland werden die Bücher wie auch Funk-Sendungen sicher doch besser honoriert. Zwar möchte ich Sie nicht verführen, Ihren Chemiker-Beruf aufzugeben, doch ich bin überzeugt, daß der Schriftsteller Levi eines Tages seinen Brotberuf aufgeben wird. Oder irre ich mich? Wir müssen uns darüber mal ausführlicher unterhalten!!!
Haben Sie übrigens mit Herrn Wolffwegen einer Wohnung in Florenz für mich sprechen können?[3]
In der Hoffnung, daß Sie bald doch einmal auch hier kommen, bin ich
mit den herzlichsten Grüßen an Sie Ihr
Empfehlungen an Ihre Frau und Grüße an die Kinder.
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich Hamburg 22 Uhlenhorster Weg 17
Signor Dott. Primo Levi Torino Corso Re Umberto 75
Amburgo, 19/4/64
Caro, stimato signor Levi,
ora che sono tornato ad Amburgo, splende quel sole che mi sono perso in Italia (a Firenze e a Torino). Finalmente sembra che la primavera sia arrivata, scivolando dritta nell’estate. Già adesso abbiamo temperature di 21-23°.
Innanzituttoperò vorrei ringraziare Lei e soprattutto Sua moglie per la piacevolissima serata da voi.[1] Spero prima o poi di poter ricambiare ospitandolaqui ad Amburgo. (E allora La prego di portare con sé molto tempo per tutti gli argomenti rimasti ancora in sospeso).
Ho letto con grande interesse il copione del radiodramma Se questo è un uomo, per quanto possibile date le mie conoscenze linguistiche. Lo trovo davvero ottimo. Ho intenzione di proporlo immediatamentealla radio di Amburgo, ma al momento il responsabile è fuori sede. Appena tornerà, gliene parlerò. E Le farò subito sapere.
Ho dato da leggere i Suoi racconti alla signora Honeit (io non capisco molto bene l’italiano),[2] ma voglio ben sperare che Lei ne scriva altri ancorae che arrivi prestoun Suo terzo libro. Sarebbe un vero peccato se non sfruttasseil Suo grande talento di scrittore. In Germania i libri e le trasmissioni radiofoniche sono sicuramente remunerati meglio. Non voglio certo indurLaad abbandonare la professione di chimico, ma sono convinto che lo scrittore Levi un giorno lascerà quel lavoro. O sbaglio? La questione andrebbe approfondita!!!
Ma invece, è riuscito a parlare con il signor Wolff di un appartamento a Firenze per me?[3]
Nella speranza che presto possa venire qui, Le mando
i miei più cordiali saluti,
Suo
I miei omaggi a Sua moglie e saluti ai figli.
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich Hamburg 22 Uhlenhorster Weg 17
Mr. Dott. Primo Levi Torino Corso Re Umberto 75
Hamburg, April 19, 1964
Dear, esteemed Mr. Levi,
Now that I am back in Hamburg, the sun that I missed during my visit to Italy (Florence and Turin) is shining once again. Spring finally seems to be on its way and seamlessly transitioning into summer. It is already 21–23° here.
But first I would like to thank you, and your wife especially, for the lovely evening.[1] I hope to have the pleasure of hosting you in Hamburg soon. (And please plan on plenty of time here, for all the topics we have not yet broached.)
I have read your radio-play script If This is a Man with great interest, insofar as I was able to, linguistically speaking. I think it is extremely good. I intend to propose it to Hamburg radio, but the man in charge of that department is out of town at the moment. As soon as he is back, I will talk to him about it. And then you will hear from me.
I gave your stories to Mrs. Honeit to read. (I myself do not understand much Italian.)[2] But I hope that you will write more stories and that a third book of yours will soon be available. It would be so unfortunate if you let your great talent as a writer go unused. And books and radio broadcasts are certainly better remunerated in Germany. I would not want to tempt you to quit your job as a chemist, but I remain convinced that at some point the writer in you will give up his day job. Or am I mistaken? We need to talk about this in more detail!!!
By the way, have you been able to speak to Mr. Wolffabout finding an apartment for me in Florence?[3]
In hopes you will indeed visit again soon, I send
my warmest regards,
Yours,
Regards to your wife and greetings to yourchildren.
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich Hamburg 22 Uhlenhorster Weg 17
Herrn Dott. Primo Levi Torino Corso Re Umberto 75
Hamburg, den 19.4.64
Lieber, verehrter Herr Levi,
jetzt, da ich wieder in Hamburg, scheint die Sonne, die ich in Italien (Florenz und Torino) vermissen mußte. Endlich scheint der Frühling zu kommen und nahtlos in den Sommer überzugehen. Wir haben jetzt schon Temperaturen von 21-23°.
Zunächst aber möchte ich Ihnen, insbesondere auch Ihrer Frau, herzlich für den liebenswürdigen Abend bei Ihnen danken.[1]Ich hoffe, daß ich Sie bald auch einmal in Hamburg bei mir empfangen darf. (Und dann bringen Sie bitte viel Zeit mit für all die Themen, die noch unerörtert blieben.)
Ihr Hörspiel-Manuskript Ist das ein Mensch habe ich mit großem Interesse gelesen, so weit das mir sprachlich möglich war. Ich finde es überaus gut. Ich habe vor, es zunächst dem Hamburger Funk zu geben. Nur ist der verantwortliche Herr im Augenblick verreist. Sobald er wieder hier ist, werde ich mit ihm darüber sprechen. Sie hören dann gleich von mir.
Ihre Erzählungen gab ich Frau Honeit zu lesen. (Ich selbst verstehe nicht so viel Italienisch.)[2]Aber ich habe die Hoffnung, daß Sie noch mehr Erzählungen schreiben und bald ein drittes Buch von Ihnen vorliegt. Es wäre zu bedauerlich, wenn Sie Ihre große schriftstellerische Begabung ungenutzt lassen. In Deutschland werden die Bücher wie auch Funk-Sendungen sicher doch besser honoriert. Zwar möchte ich Sie nicht verführen, Ihren Chemiker-Beruf aufzugeben, doch ich bin überzeugt, daß der Schriftsteller Levi eines Tages seinen Brotberuf aufgeben wird. Oder irre ich mich? Wir müssen uns darüber mal ausführlicher unterhalten!!!
Haben Sie übrigens mit Herrn Wolffwegen einer Wohnung in Florenz für mich sprechen können?[3]
In der Hoffnung, daß Sie bald doch einmal auch hier kommen, bin ich
mit den herzlichsten Grüßen an Sie Ihr
Empfehlungen an Ihre Frau und Grüße an die Kinder.
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich Hamburg 22 Uhlenhorster Weg 17
Signor Dott. Primo Levi Torino Corso Re Umberto 75
Amburgo, 19/4/64
Caro, stimato signor Levi,
ora che sono tornato ad Amburgo, splende quel sole che mi sono perso in Italia (a Firenze e a Torino). Finalmente sembra che la primavera sia arrivata, scivolando dritta nell’estate. Già adesso abbiamo temperature di 21-23°.
Innanzituttoperò vorrei ringraziare Lei e soprattutto Sua moglie per la piacevolissima serata da voi.[1] Spero prima o poi di poter ricambiare ospitandolaqui ad Amburgo. (E allora La prego di portare con sé molto tempo per tutti gli argomenti rimasti ancora in sospeso).
Ho letto con grande interesse il copione del radiodramma Se questo è un uomo, per quanto possibile date le mie conoscenze linguistiche. Lo trovo davvero ottimo. Ho intenzione di proporlo immediatamentealla radio di Amburgo, ma al momento il responsabile è fuori sede. Appena tornerà, gliene parlerò. E Le farò subito sapere.
Ho dato da leggere i Suoi racconti alla signora Honeit (io non capisco molto bene l’italiano),[2] ma voglio ben sperare che Lei ne scriva altri ancorae che arrivi prestoun Suo terzo libro. Sarebbe un vero peccato se non sfruttasseil Suo grande talento di scrittore. In Germania i libri e le trasmissioni radiofoniche sono sicuramente remunerati meglio. Non voglio certo indurLaad abbandonare la professione di chimico, ma sono convinto che lo scrittore Levi un giorno lascerà quel lavoro. O sbaglio? La questione andrebbe approfondita!!!
Ma invece, è riuscito a parlare con il signor Wolff di un appartamento a Firenze per me?[3]
Nella speranza che presto possa venire qui, Le mando
i miei più cordiali saluti,
Suo
I miei omaggi a Sua moglie e saluti ai figli.
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich Hamburg 22 Uhlenhorster Weg 17
Mr. Dott. Primo Levi Torino Corso Re Umberto 75
Hamburg, April 19, 1964
Dear, esteemed Mr. Levi,
Now that I am back in Hamburg, the sun that I missed during my visit to Italy (Florence and Turin) is shining once again. Spring finally seems to be on its way and seamlessly transitioning into summer. It is already 21–23° here.
But first I would like to thank you, and your wife especially, for the lovely evening.[1] I hope to have the pleasure of hosting you in Hamburg soon. (And please plan on plenty of time here, for all the topics we have not yet broached.)
I have read your radio-play script If This is a Man with great interest, insofar as I was able to, linguistically speaking. I think it is extremely good. I intend to propose it to Hamburg radio, but the man in charge of that department is out of town at the moment. As soon as he is back, I will talk to him about it. And then you will hear from me.
I gave your stories to Mrs. Honeit to read. (I myself do not understand much Italian.)[2] But I hope that you will write more stories and that a third book of yours will soon be available. It would be so unfortunate if you let your great talent as a writer go unused. And books and radio broadcasts are certainly better remunerated in Germany. I would not want to tempt you to quit your job as a chemist, but I remain convinced that at some point the writer in you will give up his day job. Or am I mistaken? We need to talk about this in more detail!!!
By the way, have you been able to speak to Mr. Wolffabout finding an apartment for me in Florence?[3]
In hopes you will indeed visit again soon, I send
my warmest regards,
Yours,
Regards to your wife and greetings to yourchildren.
Info
Notes
Tag
Sender: Hans Jürgen Fröhlich
Addressee: Primo Levi
Date of Drafting: 1964-04-19
Place of Writing: Hamburg
Description: carbon copy on onionskin paper of typewritten letter.
Archive: Deutsches Literaturarchiv, Marbach
Series: Levi, Primo Frӧhlich, Hans J. 1962-1985; o.D.
Folio: 1, front only
DOI:
1
The contents of this letter are similar to the next one, dated three days later. Since in both cases the original is not held in Levi’s private archive, it is difficult to establish whether either letter was ever actually sent, and if so, which. It was typical of Fröhlich’s letter writing habits to prepare several, similar versions of the same letter and not necessarily send all of them. Cf. Description of the correspondence.
2
Levi and Fröhlich met for the second time in Turin, presumably on the evening of April 5 or 6, 1964, at Levi’s home.
3
During this meeting in Turin, Primo Levi must have given Fröhlich a copy of the radio adaptation of Se questo è un uomo (If This Is a Man). Levi had been hired by RAI to work on the script back in early 1964, as witnessed by a letter to Heinz Riedt on January 16 of that same year (Il carteggio con Heinz Riedt, cit., p. 153). The radio drama was going to be broadcast a few days later, on April 24. The short stories to which Fröhlich refers are probably a few of those that appeared in Storie naturali (Natural Histories), which would only be published by Einaudi in 1966. At that point, nine of the fifteen short stories had already appeared in magazines, on LPs, or been performed in the theatre. The short stories “Cladonia Rapida,” “Some Applications of the Mimete,” “Versamine,” “The Measure of Beauty,” “Full Employment,” and “Retirement Package” had not yet been written. It is less likely that the reference is to other short stories by Levi that had been published in magazines in previous years, such as “The Death of Marinese,” “Capaneus,” and “Bear Meat.”
4
Kurt Heinrich Wolff (1912-2003), a German sociologist, found refuge in Florence after 1933. He furthered his studies there before leaving Italy because of the racial laws and moving to the United States. In 1963/’64 he was once again in Italy, on a Fulbright scholarship in Rome; most likely, that is where he came into contact with Anna Maria Levi, Primo Levi’s sister. Levi wanted to involve Wolff in his project of publishing his letters from the German readers of Ist das ein Mensch?. Cf. Martina Mengoni, I sommersi e i salvati di Primo Levi, Storia di un libro (Francoforte 1959-Torino 1986), Quodlibet, Macerata 2021, pp. 58-67.
