Showing 16 results

Typescript letter in which Bing writes that he expects the building and painting of the new sets for 'La Traviata' to commence during the summer of 1965; he would hope, therefore, to see some preliminary sketches in the fall.

Typescript letter, regarding a possible collaboration between Beaton and Lunt on the new production of 'La Traviata'.

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.

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.

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.

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, acknowledging Beaton's letter dated 12th May; Bing notes that the Metropolitan Opera's first 'Violetta' will be Anna Moffo.

Typescript letter, in which Bing expresses his consternation with respect to the revised bid proposed by Barbara Karinska for the creation of the 'La Traviata' costumes. After a period of 'simplifying', Karinska has reduced her bid from one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars to one hundred and seven thousand dollars, approximately seven hundred dollars per costume. Bing states that he is both unwilling and unable to pay that. Never in the history of the Metropolitan has anything even approached the amount that has been suggested for this one production. Bing is aware that Beaton's designs deserve careful and considerate execution, but he had estimated a total cost of sixty thousand for the costumes and asks Beaton to therefore contact Karinska to discuss the necessary changes that would need to be made for a thirty or thirty-five thousand dollar reduction in the price.

Typescript letter, in which Bing states that he has never heard of anyone charging as much for costumes as Barbara Karinska proposes to charge for the creation of the costumes for 'La Traviata'. He concedes that everything that is possible will be done to make the show as phenomenal as Beaton intends, but that this will need to be within the limits of the Metropolitan Opera.

Typewritten copy of letter, in which Bing asks when they can possibly meet to discuss the costumes for 'La Traviata'. He writes that the costumes need to be created on a vastly simplified scale, since Bing cannot agree to the one hundred and fifteen thousand dollar bid Karinska has proposed, and yet he would still like to work with her if she is prepared to enter into negotiations.