Professor Carol takes up the rich topic of music and literature next week in a live, online presentation Monday, June 14, at 8 pm Eastern.

The session considers 1) how composers turn to literature for themes and inspiration, 2) how musical compositions provide insight into literature and 3) how the two art forms merge into something greater than the sum of its parts.

Examples will include Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as set into music by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev (as well as Bernstein’s West Side Story); Cervantes’ Don Quixote in musical adaptations by Strauss and Ravel; and the transformation of biblical stories into music such as  the dynamic oratorio Saul by Handel.

Musick and Poetry have ever been acknowledg’d Sisters, which walking hand in hand, support each other. . . . Both of them may excel apart, but sure are most excellent when they are join’d, because nothing is then wanting to either of their Perfections. —Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

Please join us for this lively session. Registration required (just $5, free to members of the Circle of Scholars). The session will be recorded for later viewing.