Lord Nelson‘s great love was Emma, a lady who had a quite remarkable past. Emma Hamilton, born Amy Lyon on 26 April 1765, was the daughter a poor Cheshire blacksmith who died when she was only two months old. She was raised by her mother, and grandmother, without receiving a formal education.Little is known of… Read More Lady Hamilton’s Youth (Part 1)
John Gay, English poet and dramatist, was born on 30 June 1685.He owes his fame chiefly to ‘The Beggar’s Opera‘ (1728), a ballad opera in three acts with music arranged by Johann Christoph Pepusch. It was first performed in London, in 1728 and produced by John Rich, an important theatre director. It was a great… Read More John Gay & The Beggar’s Opera (1)
[This is the update of a post already published on 30 March 2017] “The Boxer” is a character analysis: a young man disappointed with the world, who leaves home while still a child, and tries not to draw much attention to himself, because he knows he will be accepted or at least ignored only if… Read More Paul Simon: “The Boxer” (2.Analysis – first part)
[This is the update of a post already published on 29 March 2017] The Boxer I am just a poor boy though my story’s seldom told I have squandered my resistance for a pocket full of mumbles such are promises All lies and jests, still a man hears what he wants to hear and… Read More Paul Simon: “The Boxer” (1. General Observations)
During his stay at the Yellow House, which had been set up as a studio in the south, Van Gogh experienced a period of feverish intensity and produced a great amount of art, which represented a severe demand on his strength and resources, His love/hate relationship with Gauguin and repeated threats of Gauguin’s departure caused… Read More Van Gogh’s Severed Ear
Mary Magdalene was the Jewish woman who, according to texts included in the New Testament, travelled with Jesus as one of his followers. When all the men abandoned him , Mary of Magdala was one of the women who remained. She was present at the Crucifixion, and at the tomb, and she was the… Read More 22 July: St. Mary Magdalene’s feast day
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