Month: May 2017

Shakespeare Saturday: Lost plays, found plays, fake plays, and plays that might have been

May 27, 2017

By the end of the 18th century, there were multiple editions of Shakespeare’s work in circulation, but no biography that could have been considered satisfying. Shakespeare had not left behind manuscripts or notes, and only few signatures in legal papers here and there. The first collection of his work, the Folio, had been published years … More Shakespeare Saturday: Lost plays, found plays, fake plays, and plays that might have been

Lately 

May 18, 2017

On Saturday the Weston Library celebrated the centenary of the Hogarth Press with a pair of lectures (Dame Hermione Lee!) and a marathon printing workshop in the Old Bod. I had no idea that the Schola Musicae is now used as a print shop by the library – a whole treasure trove of ancient printing … More Lately 

Last night at the opera

May 9, 2017

I have a thing for 20th/21st century opera – the first opera I consciously remember choosing to see was Giancarlo Menotti’s The Consul, and I have found myself loving Turnage’s Anna Nicole, Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites and pretty much everything by Benjamin Britten. Thomas Adés’ The Exterminating Angel (which premiered last year in Salzburg Festspiele, … More Last night at the opera