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S.Y. Zingara, 'floating in the neighbourhood of Skye, where it rains angoras and terriers'. - Hopes that Trevelyan and 'Mrs. Poet' are well, and that [their son] Paul is recovering. Has almost finished a 'declamatory sketch' of the first act [of "The Bride of Dionysus"]. Sets out the plan describing musical themes in some detail. Mentions some alterations he would like made at various points throughout the opera. Thinks the length is 'practical but formidable' but that it would be a 'great mistake' to cut it.

His theories about 'the possibilities of musical form in modern opera are vastly enlarged and changed': believes that much 'Wagnerism', such as 'the abnormal exaggeration of every pause in Wagner's sentences' will one day seem archaic. Wagner's 'business-technique' no longer impresses Tovey and he now feels, 'candidly' that he can do 'far better himself', in part because he has much better material. However, Tovey is 'driven to despair' by much of Wagner's music - he lists numerous examples - which can make him feel that the only point for him to write music is to amuse himself. Yet he thinks 'the musical patchiness of Wagner is an archaism' and 'the [Richard] Straussian development of the unmusical side of Wagner's technique is... the vilest humbug ever foisted on ignorant journalists by a cad'. Refuses to have anything more to do with 'modern tendencies' in musical drama; ready to learn many things from Debussy about timbre but cares nothing for the 'new doctrines & practices' from any other point of view.

Is visiting the Speyers around the 6 September and asks if they could meet there, or whether he could visit the Shiffolds after that or they could meet at the Dakyns' house over the Haslemere concert. Wants to run through what he's done on the piano, and would be very glad if Elizabeth Trevelyan could hear it.

The Shiffolds. - Has been away, or would have answered her note with his father's questions earlier. Cannot find a reference to 'levying an indemnity' in Murray or elsewhere; '"requisitio"' is used as a substantive in that sense, but may be general a word', as is probably the case also for 'fine' and 'tribute'; both 'ne'er do weel' and 'ne'er do well' seem to be 'used as nouns by quite good writers, such as Dickens'.

Paul 'seems quite well again now', though last week he was not so well; Bessie also seems well: she went with Robert to the Speyers' last Sunday, where Hausmann, Frau Soldat, and and Leonard Borwick were staying 'so there was a lot of music' and several pieces were rehearsed for next Wednesday's London concert.

Is glad Phil [Morgan Philips Price] is now recovering; Bessie has had 'a nice letter from Aunt Meg'. Has not had much news about the Frys recently, as Roger has been in Italy for the last three weeks; expects he will soon return. Imagines Helen 'is much the same, perhaps rather better in some ways', though 'doubt[s] whether there is any real improvement'. Robert's play [Sisyphus: An Operatic Fable] should be out this week, though he has not yet heard anything about it.

30 Norland Square, Holland Park, London. W. - Bessie's letter arrived yesterday, with one from Miss [Margaret Warre?] Cornish who was distressed at the delay. Would have been good to see the Trevelyans on the 17th at Northlands. The Toveys have been here since the 6th, so Donald could play at the Northlands concert though Grettie could not go due to a 'terrible time' at the dentists; they have been to Northlands twice since then, and things seemed 'decidedly less strained' [with Miss Weisse]. There is another concert on the 27th, and they go to stay on 3 August for Donald to carry on teaching Victor. Now the 'business negotiations' are almost completed, through a lawyer, they hope that a 'new happy relationship' may emerge gradually. The sympathy of friends has greatly helped. Thinks it cannot be a good thing for Miss Weisse to have, as she announced at dinner, 'enough aspirin to last until the end of the War'. They have had many invitations, and it has done Donald good to see his friends: the Speyers wanted them to spend a weekend but she felt they should not spend more a day at Ridgehurst until they honoured their first invitations to Woldhurst and the Shiffolds. They should probably stay at Northlands before they go anywhere else. Donald has got in a 'lovely piano', and the Trevelyans are very welcome to visit if they come to town.

Postmarked Egham S. - Wishes to keep 'scenic possibilities' [for "The Bride of Dionysus"] in mind so that the eventual performance is not 'limited by timidity'; is ready to think up a kinds of 'wild-cat scenes' but will not build the music around them. Will have to make Dionysus visible before the climax of the opera; jokingly suggests that his re-appearance might resemble that of the Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland". Asks Trevelyan to shorten 'Athens shall rue this outrage'. Believes they are to meet at Ridgehurst [the Speyers' house] on Saturday. Postscript notes that he has got a new theme for the Satyr's song, for which he gives the musical notation. Another postscript says the list [originally] enclosed with the letter was found in the package of the Vth act. The back of the envelope has a note by Tovey in response to a letter just received from Trevelyan.

Hotel Victoria, Schlangenbad. - Very 'sweet' of Mrs Trevelyan to write; very glad to hear she had a good weekend at Ridgehurst and wishes she could have been there as well. There must have been a 'delightful lot of music'. Good that Mr [Willi?] Strecker 'settled on some of Donald [Tovey]'s works at once'; hopes it will be an 'inducement' to Donald to go on. Supposes they all went to Northlands [home of Sophie Weiss] on the 17th; thought a great deal about them. Will be a 'joy' to the Trevelyans to have Donald staying next month; wonders how the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"] will get on. Asks if Mr Trevelyan is working on anything new. Her cure is coming to an end, after eight weeks; has done her much good and she has 'even started singing again'. Her youngest brother joined her three weeks ago, and they have enjoyed the 'exquisite woods all round' despite the rain and cold. They are leaving next Monday for the Black Forest; she will spend a fortnight there then 'fly home - oh with what joy!'. Does not mean to sound ungrateful, and has had rest and a 'devoted doctor' here. Will be good to see Mrs Trevelyan again; has thought of her often.

Ridgehurst, Shenley, Herts. - Has just heard that the Adolf Busch Quartet will come to play for her husband in the afternoon of 30 October; wonders if the Trevelyans would like to come to hear them. If Mr Trevelyan is away and Elizabeth is staying in town with Miss [Marie?] Busch; afraid she cannot offer a bed for the night as her husband 'gets so very tired nowadays', but there will be tea after the music, before the quartet return to London.

Ridgehurst, Shenley, Herts. - Has been asked to try and help a Betty Schwabe-Francken, who is in the Netherlands in the Hague or Amsterdam, find some pupils. She was a pupil of Joachim in Germany and won the Mendelssohn Prize twice; remembers hearing her name in the Schumann house in Berlin, but no more about her. She 'seems to be in great need'; wonders if Mrs Trevelyan would be able to help by writing to her friends. Mrs Schwabe is 'very anxious to join an orchestra', of possible. Mrs Schwabe has written to [Karl?] Klingler in Berlin; has a copy of his answer which she could send. 'Poor Klingler seems to be in a very sad state, as all his activities as a player have been taken from him' and he is obviously in a 'very precarious' state of health. Comments on 'How much sadness there is in the world now!'. Was sorry not to be near enough to greet Mrs Trevelyan at the Queen's Hall; hopes she is feeling well; tells her to let her know if she comes to town, and perhaps they could meet at her club, 49 Dover Street.

Ridgehurst, Shenley, Herts. - Mr [William] Hadow of Oxford, and their 'very musical friends' Mr and Mrs Napier Miles of Kings Weston are visiting for the weekend of 14-16 August, when Donald [Tovey] is staying with the Trevelyans; Donald has encouraged him to invite them to join the party. Knows she will be pleased that he has arranged for Madame Noordevier to sing at the concert on 24 November. His wife may possible have to 'prolong her stay over there [at Bad Schlangen for a cure, see 18/27] beyond the middle of August' and would be sorry to miss Mrs Trevelyan if so.

Bayreuth, bei Frau Roder, Schillerstrasse 12. - Thanks Bessie for her care of her dear 'great man' [Donald Tovey]. Bayreuth is 'very splendid and fine' with 'only a moderate amount of vulgarity'; Mr and Miss Kelly have just visited, both saying they enjoyed [Robert Trevelyan's] "Sisyphus" very much, and she agrees. Is not going to the opera much as she is 'lame and headachy'. On Sunday or Monday she is going to stay with her friend Marie Remy at Wenigerode. Hopes all are well and Ariadne ["The Bride of Dionysus"] 'swimming along'. Asks what the Oxford Professor was called. Hopes Donald saw Mrs Speyer.

56 Chester Square, S.W. - Tells Mrs Trevelyan not to 'trouble much about the Belgian modern songwriters' [when answering her questions for the "Song" article for "Grove's Dictionary of Music & Musicians", see 18/39]: has just remembered she could write to Mrs Speyer, as she is sister of Maurice Kufferath in Belgium who should know about 'rising musicians'. Very interested to hear Mrs Trevelyan will be staying with Julius Röntgen, to whom Ethel Smyth gave her an introduction last autumn; asks her to tell him about the books, including van Duyse, she got on his advice. Asks whether Professor Röntgen himself has composed many 'real songs (Kunstlieder)' and whether they have Dutch or German words. His opinion seemed to be that not many 'good modern characteristically Dutch songs' were being written, with most new songs being more like German ones. Asks Mrs Trevelyan if she could indicate which Dutch songs were considered the best. The British Museum has bought the Closson collection of Belgian songs at her request, so when she recovers [from pleurisy] she can study it there. Hopes she can meet Mrs Trevelyan at some point and thank her in person for her help.

Kirsch's Hotel, Bad Nauheim. - Has not heard from Donald [Tovey] for a while but hopes he is all right. Hears Mrs Speyer saw him recently; they have been very worried about Eddie [Speyer], hopes he is out of danger now. Has to go to Berlin to see her godmother's old sister from the 10th, and gives the address; will leave on Wednesday or Thursday to spend a night at Elberfeld with an old pupil engaged at the opera there, and perhaps will stop at Malines [Mechelen] to hear M. [Jef] Denyn play the carillon on her way home. Thanks Bessie for her kindness in looking after Donald and keeping in touch. Hopes Julian is well.

Hôtel Prince of Wales, Bad Nauheim, Germany. - The Kurhaus [sanatorium] orchestra is playing "Wien Neerlands Bloed", and recently played 'Wilhelmus von Nassauen" [two national anthems of the Netherlands], but these are 'rare excellencies'. Hopes they will have many much better tunes from Bessie's 'Dutch book' when she visits again. Fears D.F.T. [Donald Tovey] may have made a mistake with his dates, and asks if the Trevelyans can keep him after the 14th, as he has some work to do at the Speyers. Would be very glad if so, as she feels he is 'so safe' with them and with Mrs Joachim. Has heard that Donald will play his concerto again at the Gürzenich in Cologne this winter, and that he is also wanted at Mayence [Mainz]; is very pleased, since 'English Concert Authorities won't have him'. Looks forward to seeing the Trevelyans when she returns to England.

Northlands, Englefield Green. - Plans for the celebration of Donald [Tovey's] birthday: the orchestra and [Louis] Fleury are coming and Donald's [piano] concerto, a flute concerto 'and much else' will be performed. Invites the Trevelyans to stay for supper and for the night; will find them 'quarters at the Wheatsheaf'. Is 'terribly grieved' for Frances Dakyns [on the death of her father]. Asks how Johannes Röntgen is. Sends love to Julian: says she 'ought to have had at least one hundred babies to take care of'.

Northlands, Englefield Green. - Donald [Tovey] has gone to visit the Speyers, tired and 'in a rather anxious state of irritation with the Classical Concert Societry again'; Willy Speyer [perhaps an error for Strecker?] spent the afternoon with them and thinks he is coming to the Trevelyans on the 3rd. Donald is giving the first lecture in a series on German music at Oxford on August 4th; very disappointed not to be going to hear him as planned; asks Bessie to get Donald to read it out as it must not exceed fifty-five minutes and to check about providing a piano. Hopes it will be as good as he can make it, as his 'chances of a future Professorship depend on such things'.

Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Apologies for late response: Donald [Tovey] is 'slaving at the Encyclopædia [Britannica]' and she herself has something wrong with her hands which means she can only write in pencil. Asks Bessie to 'entreat Mr & Mrs Fry' to stay for supper and meet Mr and Mrs Edward Speyer, who will be staying; offers to write to Mrs Fry if Bessie gives her the address. Asks if Donald can come to the Trevelyans in September after all, since he is taking her to Nauheim and may stay in Germany all August; Mrs [Ellen] Joachim wishes to have him for the third week of that month.

Ridgehurst, Shenley, Herts. - He 'and various musical people here' [the Speyers' house] agree that no singer could sustain Ariadne's scene in the third act as currently written; suggests a means in which a rest from her singing and maintaining the audience's interest could be introduced by getting her off-stage and bringing on the Satyrs again. If Trevelyan cannot write this to his own satisfaction, the opera will have to differ from the play here, as if the singer is not allowed 'time for an egg in a glass of port' Tovey says he will be 'jailed for manslaughter'. Sets out scenario for the way he now sees this act; includes a suggestion of Miss Weisse for a 'great laurel-tree' to be involved in a lighting effect. Even after rewriting, Ariadne's part will be larger than Tristan's in the third act of [Wagner's] "Tristan & Isolde', but Tovey thinks he can do it. A postscript notes that he has returned to Northlands.

Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - The music [see 8/85] was played at short notice on Friday 'as Strecker père went off to Germany yesterday' and was lovely; is increasingly convinced that Donald [Tovey]'s best chance of becoming well-known is through the Streckers; is always 'joyfully surprised' by 'their real "Bildung [culture]"' and 'weighty commonsense and understanding of Donald' both as genius and man. The Rummels [Walter Morse Rummel and Thérèse Chaigneau] here in the morning, very nice and both 'very excellent musicians'. Since this is Ascot week, they are 'imprisoned here' with nothing going on but work. Donald went to the New Forest on Saturday and will return on Wednesday; he is also soon going to the Speyers twice. Encourages Bessie to come over any day next week; asks when the Röntgens are coming and would like to see them.

Oban. - Hopes his own letter will reassure Trevelyan on most of the points in his [about "The Bride of Dionysus"] and that his idea of a Dionysus and Ariadne duet will preserve the 'matter of the big speech'. Trevelyan's treatment of the Minos and Phaedra incident seems excellent; perhaps Phaedra is a little too dislikeable for this stage. Is working on the Minotaur-Labyrinth material now. Cannot help but find Trevelyan's favourite line 'Beautiful in pied fawn-skin' comic. Expects he will be at the Speyers' house by Sunday; will see them on the 8th as they go abroad next day, then 'hover about Worpledon' unless it suits Trevelyan to put him up 'and have Ariadne thumped on the clavichord all day'.

Postmarked Oban. Tovey, crossing out the 'Northlands' address printed on the card, writes 'Among strong-winged foam-wanderers all over the place. - Quotes some lines in Act I [of "The Bride of Dionysus"] which he wishes to cut, explaining his reasons. Will be at the Speyers from about the 5th to the 8th; would be very good if the Trevelyans could host him around the 9th. Explains what he wants Minos's new line to convey. Prefers Trevelyan's original, longer, version of Minos's prayer, as it is easier to set.