THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

13, Cheyne Walk,
Chelsea, S.W.3.

Sunday [about March 1924]

Dear Mr Curwen

I send 3 solos & 2 duets from ‘Hugh’.
I think your idea about the chorus ones is good.
I suppose we must be careful that the total  price of the separate songs is more than the complete opera – otherwise people might be tempted to buy the plums without the cake.
I’ve had nothing in writing from the BNOC² – have you?
Yrs sincerely

R. Vaughan Williams

1. Curwen’s published a number of the songs with two duets and two choruses from Hugh the Drover in 1924. See Catalogue of Works 1924/2.
2. The British National Opera Company gave the first public performance of the opera on 14th July 1924 at His Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket.