Item 1 - Letter to Beaton

Typescript letter, concerning a new production of 'La Traviata'. Bing explains that the production cannot be staged in the forthcoming season, as an earlier version was staged at the Metropolitan Opera in 1956. However, Bing writes, 'La Traviata' can and should be done over the next two or three years, and he would like Beaton to be involved. He adds that he has contacted Mary Lasker [American philanthropist and health activist] in order to enlist her support for the production. Lasker has confirmed that she would be willing to lend her support, on the condition that Beaton agree to design the set and costumes. Bing requests that Beaton contact Lasker to confirm that he does not feel as if Lasker would be breaching any commitment to him if she agrees to subsidize the Metropolitan Opera's upcoming production of 'Otello'. Small, handwritten note attached to the front of the original letter, from Beaton to Lasker, in which he writes that he is naturally proud to have Lasker's patronage, but does not feel that he can influence her one way or the other. He adds that he would, incidentally, have loved to have done 'Otello'.