THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Adine O’Neill

Letter No. VWL1690

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Adine O’Neill

Letter No.: VWL1690


The White Gates,
Dorking.

Sept 21 [1942]

Dear Mrs O’Neill

Thank you very much for your letter  – I quite understand about Gustav’s piece.
I am so sorry to hear from Margaret Horne1 that you do not like the way your name is set out on the handbills. I was in a difficulty about that – I always cut out all “Mr” “Miss” “Dr” etc on programmes – I feel we might as well say that you were to play a sonata by Mr Beethoven! & I did not want to make an exception in your case.
We do not have any printed programmes – but I promise you that in all announcements whether printed or by word of mouth you shall be properly announced.2
Yours sincerely

R. Vaughan Williams

P.S. It would be splendid if you would yourself act as “compère” at your concert – Of course I wd introduce you to the audience.


1. Later conductor of Westcott and other choirs. See And Choirs Singing: An account of the Leith Hill Musical Festival 1905-1985, Leith Hill 1985.
2. See VWL1688 for previous correspondence on the subject.