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Typescript letter in response to Bing's letter dated 29 November. Beaton writes that he is sorry he was unable to speak to Bing during his visit to New York, but that it was rather rushed and made difficult by the President's assassination. He would very much like to work with Alfred Lunt on a new production of 'La Traviata' and plans to begin some preliminary sketches shortly.

Typescript letter from Beaton, acknowledging Bing's letter dated 6th March, but requesting leave to answer it when he has had time to acquaint himself with "Adriana Lecouvreur" more fully, after which he will respond to Bing more fully.

Typescript letter, in response to Bing's letter dated 6th March, regarding his involvement in producing the stage designs for "Adriana Lecouvreur". Beaton writes that he wanted a short break after having worked on "Turandot", but having done some preliminary work and having developed a greater appreciation of the music through conversations with his neighbour, the music critic, Desmond Shawe-Taylor, he is eager to progress further with "Adriana Lecouvreur". He would, however, prefer to set the opera in the Edwardian period, rather than the eighteenth century, which Beaton feels has been "over-done". He also proposes a meeting with Nathaniel Merrill [stage director for the Met between 1956 and 1985], for further discussions before he becomes engaged in other summer activities.

Handwritten note, in which Beaton expresses his distress in having heard that Barbara Karinska has not yet been fully commissioned to create the costumes for 'La Traviata'. Beaton writes that Karinska is an artist and should be treated with great deference; she is unhappy with the present situation.