La Dame Blanche

La Dame Blanche by Boildeau was first performed in 1825 and by the mid-1860s had been performed more than 1,000 times in the Theater Feydeau in Paris alone. This enormously popular opera was taken from a few of Sir Walter Scott's novels, primarily Guy Mannering and The Monastery. The 20th century showed a sharp decline in its popularity but it was revived in 1996 and a few recordings are now available.
Have you heard this marvelous light-hearted opera or will it soon fade into the mists of time?
Have you heard the tune Robin Adair (not really Scottish in origin like much of the music in this opera)? Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFJdziYzbP8&noredirect=1

Can you find this in La Dame Blanche?

Lord Kinedder

Lord Kinedder was a friend of Sir Walter Scott and a man of noble character. Unfortunately, soon after the death of his wife, someone chose to slander this sensitive man with a false charge of an illicit affair with a neighbor's wife. Even though the accusation was without foundation, it gravely affected this man and he died shortly thereafter. Sadly, his tombstone was erected without his name and at this time cannot be found. Edinburgh University and the National Library of Scotland own the few copies of books and manuscripts which defend this man's character.

Christopher Harvie

Mr. Harvie is a former member of the Scottish Parliament and an excellent writer. Only one of his books is in the public library in Jacksonville, but thanks to interlibrary loan, I was able to acquire several of his works for my wife before we traveled to Wyoming for this year's Sir Walter Scott conference. I was concerned that my wife would be bored silly at an academic conference, but meeting Mr. Harvie and an ethnobiologist from Oxford who also only attended to be with his spouse, made this trip an exceptional experience for Anne. Here is a picture of Anne with Mr. Harvie and you see how happy she is.

Walter Scott's Birthday

Scott's birthday will be celebrated at the Pablo Creek Library on Saturday, August 20th. The day will start with scones tea, etc at 10 followed by a film of Wandering Willie's Tale in Redgauntlet. Then lunch. Besides the usual shepherd's pie, there will be bison instead of lamb since Anne and I went to the Scott conference in Wyoming. Then Scottish Country dancing.

Diana Gabaldon

I attended the Sir Walter Scott Conference in Wyoming and listened to Diana Gabaldon's presentation and was surprised at how funny and intelligent this lady is. Being interested in Scottish literature, I checked out the cd version of the first book in her Outlander series (her books are rather long and I thought this was the best way to approach a new author). Since way too many chapters involving intimate moments between the leading characters interrupted an interesting story, I had discounted her as a serious author. Perhaps I am mistaken. Additionally, I did meet her up close and personal. I wore my kilt to a banquet which I have considered a cultural expression beyond my Highland dance competition years. Being interested in kilted characters, she approached me and I was somewhat taken aback by this attractive celebrity approaching me. Fortunately for me, my wife came to my rescue before I could put my ghillie in my mouth.
For those interested in meeting this remarkable author online, I would suggest listening to her podcasts at http://www.dianagabaldon.com/fun/fun_podcasts.html

Walter Scott Conference

The Wild West and Sir Walter Scott are alive and well.The Ninth International Sir Walter Scott Conference starts next week in Laramie Wyoming and we will be there..Yee Hah!
http://www.uwyo.edu/scottconf2011/index.html

Scotch and Murder

The murder mystery game last night had a western theme to keep with the agenda of the International Sir Walter Scott Conference this summer in Wyoming. Shepherd's pie was served using bison burger in place of lamb for the main course.
The Speyside malts served:
Asyla-the only blended malt
Balvenie Double Wood
Cardhu
Cragganmore
Glen Kirk
Glenrothes Special Reserve-direct from Scotland courtesy of Jean
Tomintoul 16 year old

Edinburgh Grand Opera

My libretto for Frederico Ricco's 19th century opera La Prigione di Edimburgo has been sitting on my shelf for a very long time. I presumed this was another victim of the bookwraith but it seems Edinburgh's grand opera has rescued this 19th century masterpiece from oblivion. Based on what I believe to be Sir Walter Scott's finest novel, The Heart of Midlothian, this opera can be seen on Sunday, May 15th in Edinburgh. Wish I could be there.

Scotch and Murder

Tonight we sampled the Lowland and Campbeltown malts. Both are an endangered species with Springbank being the sole survivor in a region that once sported 30 distilleries and the Lowland region only supporting three out of the 17 that were active only a quarter of a century ago. For those who attended, which was your favorite:
Campbeltown:
Springbank
Longrow
Lowland:
Glenkinchie
Auchentoshan
Auchentoshan-3 wood
Hedonism
Glengoyne (geographically it is a lowland malt with highland pretensions)