THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates
Dorking

March 20 [1946]

Dear Gerald

A Tenor called Bradbridge White is coming to our Dorking Festival March 4^th to sing in a Bach Cantata. He is a competent though not very inspired singer. – It occured to me that he might do D. Nat¹ at the same concert – If he is willing to get up a new work.
I have entirely lost my copy & Booseys are “reprinting”. I understand from Ursula that you have already [kindly²] lent one copy [to her] I wonder if by any chance you have another for me.
I presume the band parts can be had from Boosey.
Will you tell me
(1) How long it plays
(2) We shall have the owing 3 hours rehearsal in the morning & an extra one for the local players the day before – I think we could give it an hour on Sat: morning in addition to the extra rehearsal – Do you think that enough – I won’t do it unless we can do it well, so far as our forces allow.
My love to Joyce
Uncle Ralph

1.  i.e. Dies Natalis.
2.  Photocopy blurred and original no longer available.