Stuk 7 - Letter from Donald Tovey to R. C. Trevelyan

bei Frau Aumer Medenwaldt [?], Von der Heydtstrasse 1, Berlin. - Sends his latest suggestions [for the libretto of "The Bride of Dionysus"]. Asks if the opera could be divided into three acts instead of four: sets out his ideas for altering the time of Act II from morning to evening, and the advantages this change brings, including for lighting and scenery. Thinks that the whole opera will be about as long as [Wagner's] "Tristan und Isolde"; fears Ariadne's part in the last act will be 'more than any mortal singers can hold out' but will consider what can be done when he gets there. Someone has raised doubts as to whether it is 'too late-Roman to identify Iacchus with Bacchus'. Seems to suggest an anti-Stratfordian view: referring to the' sea-coasts of Bohemia', he supposes 'Bacon would have been careful about his geography if he had to write a Twelfth Night for an audience of Drakes and Raleghs'. His father wishes for a long 'o' in the scansion of 'Minotaur', but he 'evidently can't always get it'. Asks for assistance with 'the taurophone': thinks the only way to make this non-comic would be for a human chorus to 'bellow the death-cries' and wants these to be some syllables 'that wouldn't be Greek to Jebb' but would sound so to the audience; wants there to be some suggestion of humanity. Proposes "The Bride of Dionysus" as the title. Asks about moving the song about Pan; worries about the amount of chorus in the opera. Has opening phrases for Ariadne, Theseus and Minos and other themes.

Does not know how long he will be in Berlin. Joachim is dying but he cannot see him so as not to over-excite him. Joachim is very happy that Harold [his nephew] is engaged to [his daughter] Liesl.