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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, 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 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.

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.

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, 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 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.

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

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.

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