THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

Nov 9th 1946

Dear Parker

I am so glad you can come to the “Passion” on March 8 & March 19.¹ Now a slight difficulty problem has arisen – Cranmer who is singing the part of “Christ” on the 19^th cannot come on March 8^th – Would you care to undertake it on that day – it would be very interesting to hear you in the part & we w^d find another singer for the arias – But I shall quite understand if you prefer to sing the same part at each concert & we must get someone else for the “Christ”.
Thank you for your beautiful singing of my “House of Life”² the other day – I wish the songs were more worthy.
Yrs sincerely

R. Vaughan Williams

1.  For the Dorking festival. VW conducted Leith Hill Festival Singers in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in St. Martin’s Church, Epsom on 8 March 1947 and in Central Hall, Redhill, on the 19th.
2.  Catalogue of Works 1904/9. The House of Life, with George Parker accompanied by Josephine Lee, was broadcast on the Third Programme at 10.30 pm on 14 October.