THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking, Surrey.

7th February, 1951.

My Dear “Faithful”¹

My Opera really dates right back all those years to that performance of “Pilgrim’s Progress” for which I wrote some music, in fact some of the music still subsists in the Opera. I do hope you will be able to come and see it.
I have a vivid recollection of coming along a passage at Reigate Priory and turning a corner and seeing the apparition of two knights in armour suddenly appear!
I wonder what has happened to your sister, “Hopeful”?²
Yrs sincerely
R Vaughan Williams

(R. Vaughan Williams).

Mrs. Watson,
Littlehay,
Birley,
near Ringwood, Hants

1. Ruth Charrington as a teenager had played the part of “Faithful” in the performance of Pilgrim’s Progress at Reigate in 1906, for which VW had composed the incidental music.
2. Rachel Charrington had played the part of “Hopeful” in the same event. Ruth and Rachel Charrington were daughters of Joanna Hadley, who had joined with Evelyn Ouless in presenting the play at Reigate Priory.