THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

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

July 8th 1956.

Dear Frank,

I have just finished a cantata for chorus and small orchestra called EPITHALAMION: founded on the music of the Bridal Day, and using many more of the Spenser words. Stanford Robinson has heard of it, and if he approves of it will ask you if he may have first performance.  Would you agree to this?  That is to say if you approve of publishing it.  I think it not too difficult for the ordinary choral society.
As regards P.K.¹ – I think the revised libretto is usually worse than the original, and leaves out a lot of really good laughs, and is often nearly as long.  I still feel the best thing to do will be for me to buy the libretto from Joan² as I suggested, and then Ursula and I will revise it ourselves, or get Joan to do so.  I do not see the point of waiting for further discussion, so just say the word Go, and I will do so.
Yrs

RVW

1. The Poisoned Kiss
2. Joan Sharp was the niece of Evelyn Sharp, the campaigner for women’s suffrage,who was librettist of The Poisoned Kiss.