THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

Sunday [14 December 1930]

Dear Evans

Holst has handed me your letter  I need hardly say that I feel much honoured at the idea that the “Camargo” may care to produce “Job”.¹
I will boil down the score to anything in reason (please let me know soon the largest orchestra you can put up) & will have it ready by any date (again within reason) that you name.
The only condition as far as I am concerned, and I am sure the mention of it is a mere formality – that I shall be allowed to veto anything in the production which to my mind does not agree with my music.
All this as far as I am concerned. But I cannot move without Geoffrey Keynes & M^rs Gwen Raverat who are the prime instigators & have designed the scenery & costumes.
– I am asking Keynes to write to you direct on the matter.² One more stipulation – I want the work called a “Masque” not a “Ballet” which has acquired unfortunate connotations of late years to me.
Yours sincerely

R. Vaughan Williams

1. Job had received a concert performance at Norwich on 23 October. Evans had proposed a stage performance by the Camargo Society, which eventually took place at the Cambridge Theatre on 5 July 1931.
2. Keynes wrote on 16 December (see VWL883). See also VWL880.