Britten Thematic Catalogue

Manuscript Sources

1. A midsummer night's dream - 21 items

   Title	A midsummer night's dream
   Subtitle	Opera in three acts
   Level	Sub-fonds
   RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream
   Date	Oct 1959-[May] 1960
   Description	Libretto adapted from William Shakespeare by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. German translation after A. W. von Schlegel, adapted by Ernst Roth. 'Dedicated to Stephen Reiss'.
   Extent	21 items
   Revised	[Jul-Aug] 1960

   1. Text sources - 10 items

      Title	Text sources
      Level	Series
      RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1
      Date	1959-1960
      Extent	10 items

      1. Original text source - 106 pages

         Title	Original text source
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1/1
         Date	nd [1959-1960]
         Description	Britten's copy of the Penguin edition of Shakespeare's play with annotations by him. Further details to follow once item returns from conservation.
         Extent	106 pages
         PhysicalDescription	Printed with annotations in pencil; 11.3 x 18.2 cm. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'THE PENGUIN SHAKESPEARE / A Midsummer [italics] / Night's Dream [italics] / [illustration: engraving of Shakespeare by Reynolds Stone] / Edited by G. B. Harrison / [underline] / Two Shillings & Sixpence / PENGUIN BOOKS'.

         1. Cast list - 1 page

            Title	Cast list
            Level	Item
            RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1/10
            Date	nd [1959-1960]
            Description	Original libretto folder with extremely faded cast list written on the inner side of the card in Britten's hand.
            Extent	1 page
            PhysicalDescription	Bound volume, green hard board; 23.5 x 28.5 cm. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
            TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'MSND'.

      2. Original text source - 106 pages

         Title	Original text source
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1/2
         Date	nd [1959-1960]
         Description	Peter Pears' copy of the Penguin edition of Shakespeare's play with annotations by him, including a draft cast list inside the back cover and an early draft scenario on the reverse of the 'other penguin publications' page near the back of the book.
         Extent	106 pages
         PhysicalDescription	Printed with annotations in pencil; 11.3 x 18.2 cm. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'THE PENGUIN SHAKESPEARE / A Midsummer [italics] / Night's Dream [italics] / [illustration: engraving of Shakespeare by Reynolds Stone] / Edited by G. B. Harrison / [underline] / Two Shillings & Sixpence / PENGUIN BOOKS'.

      3. Scenario - 13 pages of a 73 page manuscript [17r-29r: recto o

         Title	Scenario
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1/3
         Date	nd [1959-1960]
         Description	Draft of Britten's early thoughts on the structure for the opera with reference to the Penguin edition of Shakespeare's play.
         Extent	13 pages of a 73 page manuscript [17r-29r: recto o
         PhysicalDescription	Bound volume, red boards; pencil; 17.8 x 23.2 cm. Shares a volume with other sources. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'BB / TEXTS [underlined]'.

      4. Scenario - 2 pages of 48 page manuscript [1r, 2r]

         Title	Scenario
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1/4
         Date	nd [1959-1960]
         Description	Early draft in Britten's hand showing his initial intention to divide the opera into scenes. With crossings out and page references.
         Extent	2 pages of 48 page manuscript [1r, 2r]
         PhysicalDescription	Bound volume, black card; pencil; 10.5 x 14.8 cm.

      5. Synopsis - 1 manuscript; 3 pages [recto only]

         Title	Synopsis
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1/5
         Date	nd [1959-1960]
         Description	Synopsis and list of characters by Peter Pears.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 3 pages [recto only]
         PhysicalDescription	Blue ink, pencil; 22.2 x 28.4 cm.

      6. Libretto draft - 1 page [1r]

         Title	Libretto draft
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1/6
         Date	nd [Dec 1959]
         Description	Unused prologue by Myfanwy Piper. Annotated at the top right hand corner by Britten with '(MSND by / Myfanwy Piper / - not used)'.
         Extent	1 page [1r]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink with annotation in pencil; 20.4 x 25.3 cm.

      7. Libretto draft - 20 pages [1r-3r, 4r, 5r, 6r-9r, 10r, 11r, 12r, 13r

         Title	Libretto draft
         Subtitle	Act I only
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1/7
         Date	nd [1959-1960]
         Description	Britten's annotated working copy with manuscript cast list and prologue synopsis. On the reverse of pages 1r and 2r are typed notes relating to Noye's Fludde.
         Extent	20 pages [1r-3r, 4r, 5r, 6r-9r, 10r, 11r, 12r, 13r
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink with annotations in pencil and blue ballpoint; 20.3 x 25.4 cm.

      8. Libretto draft - 22 pages [recto only]

         Title	Libretto draft
         Subtitle	Act II only
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1/8
         Date	nd [1959-1960]
         Description	Imogen Holst's working copy annotated with her queries to Britten and (in her hand) his responses.
         Extent	22 pages [recto only]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink with annotations in pencil and blue ballpoint; 20.4 x 25.4 cm.

      9. Libretto draft - 60 pages [1-38: recto only, 39r-39v, 40-48: recto

         Title	Libretto draft
         Subtitle	Complete
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/1/9
         Date	nd [1959-1960]
         Description	Britten's annotated working copy with crossings out and corrections. Also with cast list and prologue synopsis.
         Extent	60 pages [1-38: recto only, 39r-39v, 40-48: recto
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink with annotations in pencil, blue and black ink, blue and black ballpoint; 20.3 x 25.4 cm.

   2. Holographs - 3 items

      Title	Holographs
      Level	Series
      RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/2
      Date	1960
      Extent	3 items

      1. Composition draft - 1 manuscript; 124 pages [1r-36r, 37v, 39r-72v, 75r

         Title	Composition draft
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/2/1
         Date	15 Apr 1960
         Description	Annotated draft with date, rehearsal marks and crossings out. At the back are a number of discarded pages and sketches from the score - some with minor explanatory notes added in a later hand. At the front opposite page 1r is a list of characters.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 124 pages [1r-36r, 37v, 39r-72v, 75r
         PhysicalDescription	Bound volume; pencil; 31.2 x 39.3 cm (some pages cut down); stamped with the 'British Library' stamp. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'MSND [underlined]'.

      2. Full score [fair copy] - 3 manuscripts (3 volumes: Act I (122 pages), Act I

         Title	Full score [fair copy]
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/2/2
         Date	nd [1960]
         Description	Holograph and non-holograph score divided into three sections with annotations by Britten throughout. The vocal lines, bar lines and instrument names are written in the hands of the copyists, Imogen Holst and Martin Penny (black ballpoint). The German translations in Act three are probably by Ernst Roth. With rehearsal marks throughout and minor crossings out. In Act 2 there is some smudging of the vocal part but it remains legible.
         Extent	3 manuscripts (3 volumes: Act I (122 pages), Act I
         PhysicalDescription	Three bound volumes inlaid with 'BOOSEY & HAWKES' at the bottom right hand corner in gold lettering; pencil, black and blue ballpoint; 30.6 x 46.7 cm; stamped with 'British Library' stamp. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'Benjamin Britten / A Midsummer Night's Dream / Act 1'. 'FULL SCORE / ACT THREE'.

      3. Revision sketches - 1 manuscript; 3 pages [1r-3r]

         Title	Revision sketches
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/2/3
         Date	nd [Jul 1960]
         Description	Revised string parts for Act I, from figures thirty six to forty four and eighty two to eighty four, with corrections in red ballpoint.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 3 pages [1r-3r]
         PhysicalDescription	Pencil and red ballpoint; 27.2 x 36.6 cm.

   3. Non-holographs - 1 item

      Title	Non-holographs
      Level	Series
      RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/3
      Date	1960
      Extent	1 item

      1. Vocal score [draft] - 1 manuscript; 55 pages [1r-13r, 14r-29r, 30r-55r]

         Title	Vocal score [draft]
         Subtitle	Act III only
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/3/1
         Date	nd [1960]
         Description	Draft score in the copyist's hand (Martin Penny) with annotations by him including stage directions in English and German (Ernst Roth?), and occasionally by Britten with instructions to him. With rehearsal marks and crossings out. The manuscript insert at page 18r replaces the two bars before rehearsal mark thirty four (marked on the manuscript). Title page annotated at the top right hand corner with '(In Martin Penny's hand - IH [Imogen Holst] being ill)'. On the reverse of the title page is an [unrelated] handful of notes on the first seven systems.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 55 pages [1r-13r, 14r-29r, 30r-55r]
         PhysicalDescription	Pencil and blue ballpoint; 26.4 x 25.6 cm; paper manufacturer 'A L', paper manufacturer's catalogue number '10'. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'VOCAL SCORE / A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM / BENJAMIN BRITTEN / ACT TWO [TWO crossed out and replaced with 3 in blue crayon]'.

   4. Interim material - 7 items

      Title	Interim material
      Level	Series
      RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/4
      Date	1960-1961
      Extent	7 items

      1. Pre-publication revisions - 1 manuscript; 80 pages [1r-80r]

         Title	Pre-publication revisions
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/4/1
         Date	circa 1960
         Description	Revised full score of Act one with corrections by Britten (pencil and black ballpoint) and annotations in red ballpoint by another (unidentified) hand. With crossings out throughout and manuscript paste over on page 40r. Annotated on the top right corner of the title page with 'M. C. / Pse make all corrections in pencil [underlined] & red ink [underlined]'
         Extent	1 manuscript; 80 pages [1r-80r]
         PhysicalDescription	Disbound; black ink with annotations in pencil, black and red ballpoint; 26.3 x 37.2 cm; plate/catalogue number 'B. & H. 18725'. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'MSND/ ACT I [underlined]'

      2. Editor's proof - 1 manuscript; 157 pages [1r-157v]

         Title	Editor's proof
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/4/2
         Date	circa 1960
         Description	Printed vocal score in thirteen sections with annotations and corrections by Britten and Imogen Holst.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 157 pages [1r-157v]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink with annotations in pencil; 23.3 x 31.2 cm; plate/catalogue number 'B. & H. 18707'; stamped with 'Boosey & Hawkes Hire Library' stamp. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'A Midsummer Night's Dream [underlined]'.

      3. Britten's conducting score - 1 manuscript; 78 pages [1r-78v]

         Title	Britten's conducting score
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/4/3
         Date	circa 1960
         Description	Printed full score (Act one) incorporating the revisions made in BBM/a_midsummer_night's_dream/4/1. With annotations by Britten and Rosamund Strode.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 78 pages [1r-78v]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink with annotations in pencil; 28.2 x 38.1 cm; plate/catalogue number 'B. & H. 18725'; stamped 'Boosey & Hawkes Ltd, Hire Library'. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'Britten: MIDSUMMERNIGHT'S DREAM / FULL SCORE ACT I / GER. & ENG. Text'.

      4. Britten's conducting score - 1 manuscript; 87 pages [1r-87r]

         Title	Britten's conducting score
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/4/4
         Date	circa 1960
         Description	Printed pre-publication copy of Act three only with annotations by Britten.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 87 pages [1r-87r]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink with annotations in pencil and blue ballpoint; 27.1 x 38.4 cm; plate/catalogue number 'B. & H. 18725'. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'Britten: Midsummer Night's Dream [underlined] / 1 full score 111rd Act Only [underlined]'.

      5. Post-publication revisions - 1 manuscript; 157 pages [1r-157v]

         Title	Post-publication revisions
         Subtitle	Incomplete
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/4/5
         Date	circa 1960
         Description	Printed vocal score with annotations by Britten and Imogen Holst. Annotated by Rosamund Strode on the front cover with 'INCOMPLETE - / lacks pages 281/4 / (stuck into bound shelf copy, for archive / purposes)' and on the inside title page with 'Pages 281/284 / removed & put / into BB's / SHELF COPY. Nov. '69'.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 157 pages [1r-157v]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink with annotations in pencil; 23.4 x 31.3 cm; plate/catalogue number 'B. & H. 18707'. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'Benjamin Britten / A Midsummer Night's / Dream / Vocal Sore / Boosey and Hawkes'.

      6. Post-publication revisions - 1 manuscript; 248 pages [1r-248r]

         Title	Post-publication revisions
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/4/6
         Date	circa 1960-1961
         Description	Printed score with annotations and corrections by Britten and Imogen Holst.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 248 pages [1r-248r]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink with annotations in pencil and blue ballpoint; 18.6 x 26.6 cm; plate/catalogue number 'B. & H. 18725'. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'Benjamin Britten / A Midsummer / Night's Dream / Boosey and Hawkes'.

      7. Post-publication revisions - 1 manuscript;157 pages [1r-157v]

         Title	Post-publication revisions
         Level	Item
         RefNo	BBM/a_midsummer_nights_dream/4/7
         Date	April 1961
         Description	Printed vocal score with corrections and annotated by Britten, Rosamund Strode and Judith LeGrove. On pages 144r-144v there are several non-holograph paste overs and the original version of figures 73-74 (Snug's Lion song) has been pasted in at the back of the volume with pages struck through. The red ticks refer to the changes that were included in the 1970 reprint.
         Extent	1 manuscript;157 pages [1r-157v]
         PhysicalDescription	Bound volume with Britten's initials inlaid in gold lettering at the bottom right hand corner; black ink with annotations in pencil, red crayon and green ballpoint; 23.2 x 30.6 cm; plate/catalogue number 'B. & H. 18707'. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'A Midsummer Night's Dream / BENJAMIN BRITTEN'.