Hwæt?

February 13, 2005

Sometimes our favorite publications--The New Yorker, The New Criterion, The Wall Street Journal--do not deign to give notice of or review performances until the run is finished.  All gone.  No chance to see it.

Good&Happy is nicer than that.

Here, in time for Monday night's performance in Austin, a scop singing Beowulf (shorter than the canonical eight hours):

Beowulf in Performance
Benjamin Bagby
Monday February 14, 7pm
Prothro Theater

The Ransom Center hosts this 80-minute segment of Beowulf in performance, by Benjamin Bagby, the premier "scop," or bardic storyteller and reciter, of this tale today. Bagby, of the musical ensemble Sequentia, of Paris, France is internationally known for his recitations of Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse poems to the accompaniment of a harp. He will perform this portion of the more than 8-hour tale in its original language, with period musical accompaniment, and with supertext titles in contemporary English. A reception follows.

Please remember that seating is limited.

Also, join us for a pre-performance discussion by UT Prof. Thomas Cable at 3pm Monday, February 14 and a post-performance discussion with both Bagby and Cable at 10am. Tuesday, February 15 (both also in the Ransom Center's Prothro Theater).

This event is produced by the Ransom Center, the Jane Weinert Blumberg Chair, the Department of English at UT Austin, and Medieval Studies at UT Austin.

As the ancients knew in the long winter confinement,  Goodness&Happiness requires creative diversion so as not to go mad.

Don't be mad, be glad. Stop in here frequently, where the resident breezy bardic oracle might help the seeking sort of soul slide [felahror feranon frean wære] to the next square on the chess board of the world.

Or at least decide what to do on a winter's evening.

Comments

[Richard Lawrence Cohen]

Oy gevalt, is that a Valentine's Day present!

[Dilys]

Richard,

1. There's no predicting taste. Dilys' very own beloved proposed the event.

2. Wait 'til you see the first February 14 post. It will make this one look quite festive!

Dilys