THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates
Dorking

Jan 3 [?1950]

Dear M^r Byard
I added the extra scene to “Hugh” because in we were told it was too short – that in the provinces they “wanted their moneys worth!”.¹
But it was never a success both dramatically & musically it is poorer & an addition entirely spoils the dramatic effect of the sudden hush at the old beginning of Act II coming straight after the noisy finish of Act I.  So I never want to hear it or see it again!
Yrs ever
R. Vaughan Williams

1.  Hugh the Drover, Catalogue of Works 1924/2.  The request possibly came from the publishers, Curwen.