ABSTRACT
Vert's agency, whose letterhead read as follows: 'Concert and Musical Agency, established 50 years, Director: Pedro J. Tillett (nephew and only partner of the late N.Vert)' remained at 6 Cork Street, Burlington Gardens, London W and continued to make its approaches to conductors and musical societies. Richter, who remained with the Vert agency, was asked by Pedro:
Do you think there is any chance for Mr John Harrison, whom of course you know well, at the Opera? He is prepared to sing several parts such as Lohengrin, Siegmund etc, so if you think favourably of the matter, perhaps you could kindly bring it forward. (9 March 1908)
Richter had just conducted the first Ring in English at Covent Garden, and a repeat of the cycle was due to take place a year later. His last communication with the agency was from Bayreuth, where he had retired after his departure from Manchester and his final public concert at Eastbourne with the LSO on 22 April 1911. Clearly Ibbs and Tillett did what they could to coax him back for another appearance, but to no avail for the great man sent a card on which he wrote 'I am sorry to say that I cannot accept your offer. With our united best regards' (15 November 1911).