Tchaikovsky went to Ussovo about the 5th or 6th of August, and by the 7th (19th) had already set to work upon _The Tempest_. By August 17th (29th) this symphonic poem was completely sketched out in all its details, so that the composer could go straight on with the orchestration on his return to Moscow. The Countess Vassilieva-Shilovsky made me a present of this manuscript, upon which are inscribed the dates I have just mentioned. At the present time the manuscript is in the Imperial Public Library, St. Petersburg. X 1873-1874 As soon as Tchaikovsky returned to Moscow, on September 1st, he set to work upon the orchestration of _The Tempest_. In the second half of the month he moved into new quarters in the Nikitskaya (House Vishnevsky). Nothing particularly eventful had happened since last year, either in his career as professor or musical critic. His daily life ran in the same grooves as before, with this difference only: the things which once seemed to him new and interesting now appeared more and more wearisome and unprofitable, and his moods of depression became more frequent, more intense, and of longer duration. _To V. Bessel._ “_September_, 1873. “Be so kind as to do something for _The Oprichnik_. Yesterday they told me at the Opera House that the Direction had quite decided to produce it in Moscow during the spring. Although, with the exception of Kadmina, I have no strong forces to reckon upon here, yet I think we had better not raise any objections. Let them do it if they like. The _repétiteur_ has assured me that no expense shall be spared in mounting the opera brilliantly. The rehearsals will be carried on throughout the season. As regards _The Oprichnik_, I think it would be best to dedicate it to the Grand Duke Constantine Nicholaevich.” _To the same._ “_October_ 10_th_ (22_nd_). “DEAR FRIEND,--I have written to Gedeonov and told him that you are my representative as regards everything pertaining to the production of _The Oprichnik_. As to the pianoforte arrangement, you must wait patiently for a little while. When you meet Stassov, please tell him I have quite finished _The Tempest_, according to his programme, but I shall not send him the work until I have heard it performed in Moscow.” _To the same._ “_October_ 18_th_ (30_th_).