G. Holst. Late autograph letter signed, to Dr. Dilling, with a vocal score of "The Perfect Fool", 21 January [1934]

Gustav Holst

Late autograph letter signed ("Gustav Holst"), to Dr. Dilling, APPARENTLY CONCERNING SAVITRI

noting that with four copyists at work things should be ready in time, requesting that the copyists, if they are novices, do not muddle up the two string quartets [in Savitri?], and asking for their names so that he might thank them individually

...If the copyists are new to the job please see that they do not confuse the two str qtets A and B: and I hope someone can correct the parts thoroughly...

1 page, 8vo (17.7 x 11.3cm), printed stationery of the New Lodge Clinic, the letter mounted on the second leaf of a first edition of the vocal score of The Perfect Fool, with a leaf of manuscript notes in an unidentified hand on The Perfect Fool being mounted above the letter, New Lodge Clinic, Windsor Forest, Berkshire, 21 January [1934], two filing holes, slightly affecting text

Holst's chamber opera Savitri, op.25, written 1908-1909, 'one of the quiet masterpieces of British music' (Andrew Clements), received its first professional performance on 23 June 1921 at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. The somewhat less successful opera The Perfect Fool was completed in 1922 and first performed the following year at Covent Garden.

See previous lot.