THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking, Surrey.

7th February, 1951.

My Dear “Faithful”¹

My Opera really dates right back all those years to that performance of “Pilgrim’s Progress” for which I wrote some music, in fact some of the music still subsists in the Opera. I do hope you will be able to come and see it.
I have a vivid recollection of coming along a passage at Reigate Priory and turning a corner and seeing the apparition of two kinghts in armour suddenly appear!
I wonder what has happened to your sister, “Hopeful”?²
Yrs sincerely
R Vaughan Williams

(R. Vaughan Williams).

Mrs. Watson,
Littlehay,
Birley,
near Ringwood, Hants

1. Ruth Charrington as a teenager had played the part of “Faithful” in the performance of Pilgrim’s Progress at Reigate in 1906.
2. Rachel Charrington had played the part of “Hopeful” in the same event.