Two letters by Massenet held by the Fondazione Istituto Liszt, and dating from a few years apart, illustrate the French composer’s close ties with Italy. The first has to do with a short, little-known trip the musician took in January 1899 to supervise or prepare various performances of his works in Genoa, Turin, and Milan. The second is a 1906 letter of thanks to Leopoldo Mugnone, shortly after the premiere of Ariane at the Paris Opera. A regular performer of Massenet in Italy, the famous conductor had presumably congratulated the composer on his new opera. The two documents thus bear witness to Massenet’s deep affection for a country where he was served by the most talented and greatest musicians, who tirelessly disseminated the music of a composer who was particularly popular with Italian audiences.