“They saw their injured country's woe;
The flaming town, the wasted field;
Then rushed to meet the insulting foe;
They took the spear, - but left the shield.”
―Philip Freneau
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And by a prudent flight and cunning save A life which valour could not, from the grave. A better buckler I can soon regain, But who can get another life again?
Archilochus
I had the joy of seeing and hearing it performed by our resident opera company two years ago. Like André Previns' more recent operatic setting of A Streetcar Named Desire, Floyd's work is superior to Steinbeck's original. In fact it was so moving and so unbearably touching as to be unforgettable.
The work evokes the very essence of the pathos, terror and tragedy that lies at the heart of mortal existence, –– especially for those who live close to the earth and to the bone.
There are times when Death is the very best friend we could ever hope to know.
The composer, Carlisle Floyd explains himself very well in this sort interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHCT-IH8DrY
Incidentally, he corrects my referring to Steinbeck's original as a novel above. Of Mice and Men is a OVELLS -- a distinction the composer feels vitally important.
3 comments:
Read about Carlisle Floyd's operatic version of Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Mice_and_Men_(opera)
I had the joy of seeing and hearing it performed by our resident opera company two years ago. Like André Previns' more recent operatic setting of A Streetcar Named Desire, Floyd's work is superior to Steinbeck's original. In fact it was so moving and so unbearably touching as to be unforgettable.
The work evokes the very essence of the pathos, terror and tragedy that lies at the heart of mortal existence, –– especially for those who live close to the earth and to the bone.
There are times when Death is the very best friend we could ever hope to know.
The composer, Carlisle Floyd explains himself very well in this sort interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHCT-IH8DrY
Incidentally, he corrects my referring to Steinbeck's original as a novel above. Of Mice and Men is a OVELLS -- a distinction the composer feels vitally important.
I'll have to keep my eyes open for a performance. ;P
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