- 106
Britten, Benjamin.
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
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Description
- Five autograph letters and notes signed ("Ben B"), to Enid Vandyk, secretary to the English Opera Group, together with three photographs
- ink on paper
Britten describes his work on Billy Budd, and rehearsals for the Aldeburgh Festival, reporting his concerts in Holland and complaining that illness has "taken up all my time & energies", apologising that he had not been able to meet her for a concert and suggesting that he might take her when next in London ("...even B. Budd??..."), and enquiring whether his old friend from Lowestoft, John Pounder, knows that he will be staying with him; subsequently Britten reports the successful premiere of the opera at Sadlers Wells (..."Budd went off well, with a splendid performance, but hard work conducting...), and in later letters, exchanging greetings, including thanking Enid for her "kind letter about the Requiem"; together with an autograph letter by Peter Pears to Enid (about Britten's death: "Ben had as wonderful a death as his life...") and photographs showing Britten and Pears with Kathleen Ferrier, Eduard van Beinum and Field-Marshall Montgomery (at the Holland Festival in 1947 or 1948), and with Eric Crozier and Enid Vandyk, 9 items in all, the letters 7 pages, 8vo, with an autograph address, envelope, 4 Crabbe St, Aldeburgh, 6 July 1951, 7 December 1951, and the Red House, January 1963, the photographs up to c.13 x 24cms
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Enid Vandyk was secretary to Anne Wood, the first manager of the English Opera Group, from its inception in 1947. She later became Britten's assistant and ran the successful music festival at King's Lynn.