“I come to the conclusion that it is a mistake to try to write highly ‘poetical’ and ‘literary’ librettos. The poet ought to concentrate entirely on drama and absolute truth to human nature, however unreal or fantastic the story may be; and always to use the very simplest words which everybody can understand at first hearing. Secondly, always to make the characters talk in their own character, and to avoid carefully all temptation to put the author’s own private philosophy of life into their mouths. This if properly carried out does not at all prevent the poet’s own personality coming through the whole drama, as the great dramatists of the past have shown us. Prospero for instance talks of a good deal of ‘philosophy’ but it is all within the character of Prospero himself.”
Edward J. Dent, letter to Bernard Stevens (June 12, 1950)
Terry Teachout on the arts in New York City
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