Autograph Note about the 1969 Snape Maltings Fire

Autograph note from the important British composer. 2 pp., n.d. [1969]. Text, in full: "Dear Jim, Sorry you missed the fairly universal news of our fire in June—it was pretty awful, but we coped some how—& now have the unenviable task of raising lots of lovely money! Glad things go well with you & your new house. Love to all the family. Yours ever, Ben." On a letterhead notecard. Small surface losses along blank upper edge, else fine. 6 x 4 inches (15 x 10.5 cm).

The concert hall at Snape Maltings in Aldeburgh, purpose-built for the Aldeburgh Festival and opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1967, was destroyed in a fire on the opening night of the 1969 season. Despite the loss of Britten's Steinway grand, a priceless Grancino double bass, and the complete costumes for the season's new production of Idomeneo, Britten and Pears managed to regroup and find alternate venues for most of the season's performances. After a huge effort, they also had the hall rebuilt in time for the opening of the 1970 season. The hall's phoenix-like resurrection has become part of the legend of the Aldeburgh Festival. (16127)

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Autograph Letter

Classical Music

Opera

• Sold