- Lines of beauty : Italian Renaissance drawings were used to work out ideas for a painting. For Iain Pears they are full of the joy of creation, as the British Museum's understated yet powerful exhibition shows... Read the full reviewARTS ALMANAC-
1660 – Alessandro Scarlatti, Italian composer, was born. "Alessandro Scarlatti (2 May 1660 – 24 October 1725) was an Italian Baroque composer especially famous for his operas and chamber cantatas. He is considered the founder of the Neapolitan school of opera. He was the father of two other composers, Domenico Scarlatti and Pietro Filippo Scarlatti. Scarlatti's music forms an important link between the early Baroque Italian vocal styles of the 17th century, with their centers in Florence, Venice and Rome, and the classical school of the 18th century, which culminated in Mozart."
May 2, 1670: Charles II of England grants a Royal Charter to the Hudson's Bay Company to promote the fur trade in North America. "Hudson's Bay Company is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. It was once the de facto government in parts of North America before European-based colonies and states. It was at one time the largest landowner in the world, with Rupert's Land being over 15% of North America. From its longtime-headquarters at York Factory on Hudson Bay, it controlled the fur trade throughout much of British-controlled North America for several centuries, undertaking early exploration. Its traders and trappers forged early relationships with many groups of First Nations/Native Americans and its network of trading posts formed the nucleus for later official authority in many areas of Western Canada and the United States. In the late 19th century, its vast territory became the largest component in the newly formed Dominion of Canada, in which the company was the largest private landowner. With the decline of the fur trade, the company evolved into a mercantile business selling vital goods to settlers in the Canadian West. Today the company is best known for its department stores throughout Canada."
May 2, 1895: Lorenz Hart [above right, with Richard Rodgers], American lyricist, was born. "Lorenz Hart was the lyricist half of the famed Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart. Some of his more famous lyrics include, "Blue Moon", "Isn't It Romantic?", "Mountain Greenery", "The Lady Is a Tramp", "Manhattan", "Where or When", "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered", "Falling in Love with Love", "I'll Tell The Man In The Street" and "My Funny Valentine". Hart was born in Harlem to Jewish immigrant parents and attended Columbia University, where a friend introduced him to Richard Rodgers. They worked together until Hart's death in 1943, along the way producing scores for a series of hit shows and making a substantial contribution to the Great American Songbook. As a lyricist, Hart was an advocate of internal rhyme and multisyllabic rhyming, and his lyrics have often been praised for their wit and technical sophistication."
IN OUR STORE-
IN OUR STORE-
"Silver in the Fur Trade, 1680-1820"
By Martha Wilson Hamilton.
An important examination of North American Indian trade silver, with discussion of First Nations, American, British, Dutch and French trading patterns, an analysis of forms, and all the known Indian trade silver makers’ marks and biographies of the silversmiths. Profusely illustrated and thoroughly researched, this is an essential reference work.
$45.00
VIDEOS OF THE DAY-
Here is a classic version of Lorenz Hart's 'Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered', sung by Ella Fitzgerald-
Here's the song as seen in 'Pal Joey', starring Rita Hayworth (dubbed by Jo Ann Greer)-
Here's my favorite version, sung by the incomparable song stylist Sinead O'Connor-
No comments:
Post a Comment