21 AUGUST 1953, Page 16

Libretto-Writing

SIR,—Mr. Martin Cooper in his very interesting remarks about opera librettos did not mention Metastasio, whose librettos enjoy the unusual distinction of being widely read long after most of the music composed for them has been forgotten. In the eighteenth century they were sometimes performed as stage plays without the music.

I think that 11 Re Pastore, in Mozart's lovely setting, could be revived with success. La Clemenza di Tito is less convincing dramatically than many of Metastasio's other works, and was set by Mozart in an adapted form.—Yours faithfully, G. M. LEE. 8 Chaucer Road, Bedford.