Thursday, January 24, 2013

Knight Errant

Since Merlin is currently one of my favorite TV shows, perhaps it is time to post a reference to Sir Walter Scott's "Bridal of Triermain."  One year before he started his run of Waverley novels, Scott published his tale of a maiden placed in a deep sleep by Merlin 500 years ago.  This Sleeping Beauty, however, has a knight who seeks to rescue her.  As long as the Arthur legend continues to have its appeal, the Book Wraith cannot claim this modest bit of poetry.  Have you read it?
Definitely shorter than an opera by Wagner, so I will free some of your time and provide a link to an awesome chorus of Grail Knights at the end of this scene from Parsifal: 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Fingal's Cave

Felix Mendelssohn was inspired by Fingal's Cave and wrote his Hebridean Overture.  Joseph Turner painted his Staffa, Fingal's Cave in 1832.  Sir Walter Scott described it as one of the most extraordinary places he ever beheld.  Jules Verne described it in detail in Green Ray and this cave can be seen throughout his works especially his most extraordinary novel, Mysterious Island.  Perhaps a trip to the Hebrides is not possible, but the music of Mendelssohn and the literature of Sir Walter Scott and Jules Verne are not.  Or should the Book Wraith claim Jules Verne as one of its own?