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CHAPTER XXIII
UNFINISHED OPERA

But I have now a project of mine own.

Ben Jonson, Epilogue
To The Devil is an Ass

ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1932, Elgar wrote, from Worcester, to Barry
Jackson: 1

MY DEAR BARRY J.:

I did not refer to the other B(en) J(onson) because I thought
the idea did not appeal to you at all.

My feeling has always been that the Elizabethan (for short)
dialogue is splendid for recit. I never thought of "Pug"
remaining in at all. It seemed to me that a first act (scene
exactly as you say) might be made. I am not sure if anything
could be made of the "cloak" affair: but the "projectors"
(Stock Exchange) might be very evident, all this, these, and the
"title" scramble, are of all time: for lyrical moments I had
marked out several things from the Masques, but I cannot find
(at this moment) my "cut up" copy of Gifford's edn. 2 --I had
adumbrated two acts exactly as you say: the first act wd "grow"
easily I think & the chorus might be plausibly introduced for
any effect of movement--not as you will feel--static.

A small chorus--not a huge crowd.

The period dresses appeal to me for opera &, padded out as
you cd. do it, might make a "warm & full" thing--

I do not see any real fault with characters pairing off as you

____________________
1 Sir Barry Jackson has given his account of his collaboration with Elgar: see
Music and Letters, Vol. xxiv. No. 1.
2 The Works of Ben Jonson with a Memoir by William Gifford, pub. 1838, 1858, and
1860. Elgar used the edition of 1858.

-360-

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Publication Information: Book Title: Elgar, O.M.: A Study of a Musician. Contributors: Percy M. Young - author. Publisher: Collins. Place of Publication: London. Publication Year: 1955. Page Number: 360.
    
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