Letter [Carbon copy] from H. W. Henze to W. H. Auden/C. Kallman, August 27, 1966

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Castelgandolfo (Roma)
Via dei Laghi, 18

27th August, 1966

Herren
Wystan H. Auden und Chester Kallman
Hinterholz 6
Kirchstetten bei Wien (Westbahn)

Gentlemen,

I hear from Filippo * that you will come to Berlin only two
days before the first night
.* Well, how do you think we can
talk about the school-opera in those two days of frenzy?*
Why don’t you just think it all out for yourself and bring
me the result in form of a completed work ? Perhaps only
for speakers (one or two) and the choire[sic], perhaps one solo-
voice and no speaker. Short. 30 minutes.*

I had reserved October for the composition of it, so you
realize the urgency. oPlease do not let me
down.*

I hope you are fine, so am I. Please write!

Love,

Editorial

Responsibilities

Editor(s)
Elena Minetti
Transcription
Elena Minetti; Joachim Veit

Tradition

  • Text Source: Basel (Schweiz), Paul Sacher Stiftung (CH-Bps), Sammlung Hans Werner Henze, Abteilung: Korrespondenz
    Shelf mark: Auden, Wystan Hugh

    Physical Description

    • Document type: Letter
    • Material

    • Durchschlagpapier
    • Extent

    • 1 folio
    • 1 written page
    • Dimensions: 279x220 [mm] (HxW)
    • Condition

    • Gelocht.
    • Layout

    • Rand: 3,9 cm
    • zweizeilig
    • Absätze nicht eingerückt
    • Leerzeile nach Absatz

Writing styles

Text Constitution

  • "d""f" overtyped with "d"
  • "d""f" overtyped with "d"
  • "choire"sic
  • "o"erased
  • "ea""it" replaced with "ea"
  • "… do not let me down."Carbon paper stains and traces of erasures.

Commentary

  • "… I hear from Filippo"The Italian scenic and costume designer Filippo Sanjust worked on the production of the premiere of The Bassarids.
  • "… before the first night ."The German premiere of Die Bassariden took place at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin on 28 September 1966.
  • "… those two days of frenzy?"In his letter to Henze on 14 July 1966 Auden alludes to a work for "schoolchildren" which probably corresponds to Moralities, written for Cincinnati children and based on Aesop’s fables.
  • "… no speaker. Short. 30 minutes."In its final form, Moralities would last for 23 minutes and features a mixed choir with soloists, speakers and small orchestra or 2 pianos and percussion.
  • "… do not let me down."See also Henze’s subsequent telegram on 28 November 1966.

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        Credits

        Mit freundlicher Genehmigung der Hans Werner Henze-Stiftung (Dr. Michael Kerstan).

        If you've spotted some error or inaccuracy please do not hesitate to inform us via henze-digital [@] zenmem.de.