THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking.

Aug 24 [1951]

Dear Frank

re  P.K.¹

I see great difficulties
(i)  Several of the words are meaningless within the dramatic context & w^d have to be altered (eg. verse 2 of “Blue Larkspur”) & I do [not see] how any coherent cantata can be made – it w^d have to be a number of disconnected songs & choruses.
(ii)  Evelyn Sharp’s leave would have I suppose to be obtained before any alterations c^d be made – & I have an idea that this w^d be difficult.
Granted all this I think that Arnold Foster w^d be quite suitable.
Yrs

R. Vaughan Williams

1. Frank had written on 22nd August following up a suggestion that a cantata for women’s voices based on The Poisoned Kiss should be done, to which VW had agreed provided someone else did it. He now proposed that Arnold Foster be asked first to look at the feasibility of the idea and then to prepare a scheme for VW’s approval. The proposal came to nothing.