Auden, Wystan Hugh: Brief an Henze, Hans Werner. Berlin-Dahlem, Sonntag, 8. November 1964
author: Auden, Wystan Hugh
language: en
availability: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Copyright by the Estate of W. H. Auden. By courtesy of the Estate of W. H. Auden. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Berlin-Dahlem
Hubertusbaderstrasse 43

answered Nov. 14

Dearest Hans:
Many thanks for your letter and copies of letter of Herr Reinhold[^1]

[^1: As stated in one of Auden’s later letters, Helmut Reinold was initially supposed to be the translator of the libretto of The Bassarids, but in the end the translation was entrusted to Maria Bosse-Sporleder. Reinold is only mentioned in the published score for setting up the libretto.]

Peter Heyworth (who is, I must assure you, despite any difficulties you have had, a very great fan of yours) spoke to Earl Harewood about Bassy and Covent Garden, and the latter thought it an excellent idea. Though he is now no longer directly concerned with C.G., his voice has power there. Maybe it would be a good thing to send him a copy of the Libretto.[^2]

[^2: It is not certain whether the dialogue between Peter Heyworth and Earl Harewood led to a Covent Garden production of The Bassarids. In the BBC Radio 3 Programme Index, however, it appears that the first English performance of The Bassarids was recorded in Royal Albert Hall and broadcast on 22 September 1968 with the participation of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. The work’s fully-staged English premiere was held at the English National Opera in October 1974, with the composer conducting.]

Ann[^3] settles into my bourgeois dolls-house – no guestroom but two toilets, no radio but a large T-V set. Don’t know many people yet and feel a bit lonesome. Of course, there is always Herbert’s, but the attractive Strich are, very uncertaintly,[^4] immer stanco, stanco .

[^3: The name could be also “Am”.]

[^4: The words “Stich” and “uncertaintly” are not really legible.]

My will is at last signed, witnessed and sealed so, as I wrote him, Chester can start grinding up the glass

t’abbraccio.
Wystan