Showing 16 results

Is planning to do the world premiere of Samuel Barber's opera "Vanessa" to a libretto by Gian-Carlo Menotti. Dimitri Mitropoulos is the conductor and Menotti is the stage director. Invites Beaton to do the sets and costume. Requests that Beaton ring him if he is interested.

A typewritten letter, in which Bing asks Beaton whether he would like to work on their forthcoming production of 'Turandot', scheduled for February 1961. Bing writes that they have selected Yoshio Aoyama as director and hopes that Barbra Karinska will create the costumes. If Beaton is interested, then Bing would need the set and costume designs no later than April 1960; could Beaton please send a cable message to Bing to confirm his answer.

Typewritten letter, concerning fees for Beaton's scenery and costume designs, in addition to his travel expenses. Also provides contact details for Yoshio Aoyama.

A typewritten letter, in which Bing asks whether Beaton would be interested in producing the stage and costume designs for Adriana Lecouvreur, the first performance of which is intended to be February 16, 1962. He outlines rough dates for when these designs will need to be complete, together with a suggestion for a preliminary meeting in late March / early April.

Typewritten letter, regarding the cancellation of the 1961/62 season. Though the intervention of the White House in the disputes with the Musicians Union means that Bing retains some hope of reaching a resolution, it seems highly unlikely that "Adriana Lecouvreur" will proceed as planned. Bing assures Beaton that, either way, he will be paid for his designs, and he hopes that Beaton will not be discouraged from working with them again in the future.

Typewritten letter, regarding the sum of money paid to Beaton for his scenic and costume designs for "Adriana Lecouvreur" and official confirmation of the annulment of the contracts drawn up between the two parties.

Typescript letter, concerning a new production of 'La Traviata'. Bing explains that the production cannot be staged in the forthcoming season, as an earlier version was staged at the Metropolitan Opera in 1956. However, Bing writes, 'La Traviata' can and should be done over the next two or three years, and he would like Beaton to be involved. He adds that he has contacted Mary Lasker [American philanthropist and health activist] in order to enlist her support for the production. Lasker has confirmed that she would be willing to lend her support, on the condition that Beaton agree to design the set and costumes. Bing requests that Beaton contact Lasker to confirm that he does not feel as if Lasker would be breaching any commitment to him if she agrees to subsidize the Metropolitan Opera's upcoming production of 'Otello'. Small, handwritten note attached to the front of the original letter, from Beaton to Lasker, in which he writes that he is naturally proud to have Lasker's patronage, but does not feel that he can influence her one way or the other. He adds that he would, incidentally, have loved to have done 'Otello'.

Typewritten letter in which Bing confirms that they now intend to proceed with "Adriana Lecouvreur", as a way of attracting the soprano, Renata Tebaldi, back to the company. However, he indicates that, as they intend to produce it at a much lower cost than before, they will not be using Beaton's designs.

A typewritten letter, in response to Beaton's request for his designs to be used for a forthcoming production of 'Turandot' in Covent Garden. Bing writes that he is not entirely happy with Beaton's suggestion, but concedes that were the designs used, then he would ideally like a credit line to be included, indicating that the designs were used by courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera.

Typescript letter in which Bing writes that they are beginning to plan new productions for the upcoming season, which will include 'La Traviata'. He adds that he has talked to Alfred Lunt about collaborating with Beaton on the production and suggests that it will most likely be staged in 1966, though he cannot yet provide a more specific date. He asks that Beaton reply to him and to Alfred Lunt to indicate his level of interest.