Showing 220 results

A typewritten letter, concerning a request for his designs to be used for a British production of 'Turandot' in Covent Garden, London.

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.

Typescript letter to the writer, producer and impresario, Rudolf K. Kommer (1886-1943), in which Beaton writes that he has been sight-seeing in southern Morocco and has taken lots of pictures. He is currently staying in a lovely house in Tangier, which overlooks the Governor's Palace. Thanks Kommer for his advice on various matters and asks him for his opinion on how he believes Beaton should respond to Walter Winchell's most recent attack on him. Beaton understands how difficult it is to sue a newspaper, but the allegation that he sent a copy of his work to Goebbels is a complete lie and should be recognised as such.

Letter from Beaton [?], in which Beaton laments certain alterations to the set design and hopes to persuade Gredy et al. that his suggestions would be beneficial. Beaton also encloses a costume chart with the letter.

A typewritten letter, in which Beaton writes that he has been making models of some of the scenes and ground plans. He also has a number of costume designs, but will wait to show these to Aoyama in person when he arrives in New York later in September.

Typewritten letter, concerning set designs.

Typewritten letter, concerning set designs.

Typewritten letter, concerning revised set designs.

Typewritten letter; Beaton praises Aoyama's work on 'Madame Butterfly' and expresses his anticipation in working with Aoyama for the 'Turandot' production. He also discusses particular set designs for the opera.

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.