From Mr Norman Harper
Sir, - Patrick Hawes (Interview, 21 March)
wonders whether Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge "has the
potential to be developed into an opera libretto". The answer is,
Yes, it has; indeed, more than potential, as an opera based on the
novel was composed and published in 1951 by Peter Tranchell
(1922-93), a music lecturer at Cambridge, and Fellow and Precentor
of Caius College. It received professional performances at the
time, as well as critical acclaim, but for various practical
reasons did not become part of the canon.
So Mr Hawes may be confirmed in his view, and possibly become
the composer of the second known operatic interpretation of this
great novel.
NORMAN HARPER
50 Elmwood Road
London SE24 9NR
