THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
10, Hanover Terrace,
Regents Park,
London, N.W.1.

February 15th 1957.

Dear Frank,
I admit that my first reaction to your letter was that it was proposed to convert PP¹ into a sort of Porgy and Bess, ie, PB! But on second thoughts I realise that I ought to have no objection to a singer, what ever his nationality, colour or creed taking part in my opera, – as long as he or she did it well. But I still feel rather against exploiting it as an “all black team”. Just as much as I should object to exploiting an all British team. As I say if the team do it well there’s no harm done if they happen to be all coloured, but please do not let it be made into a stunt. Just as an ex-pupil of mine was published the other day as the first woman conductor of the Ninth Symphony. Anyway, I will say nothing about it at present as you request.
Thank you very much about Piatigorski and Flos Campi.
Yrs RVW

1. John Ward, the OUP music manager in New York, had suggested an all-black production of Pilgrim’s Progress in the USA.