Summer Classics 2011
Week II
July 18 - 22, 2011
- Thomas Mann | The Magic Mountain
- The Founding Documents of the United States | The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers
- Wisdom of Solomon
- William Faulkner | Go Down, Moses
- Henry James | The Golden Bowl
- Vivaldi | Griselda and Puccini | La Bohème
Morning
Thomas Mann | The Magic Mountain - Full. Please call to be added to the wait list.
Eva Brann and Janet Dougherty
Illuminated illness and impassioned morbidity, European entanglements and cosmopolitan encounters: The scene is a posh TB sanatorium in the Alps in the years before the First World War. The great novel of Mann’s middle age.
The Founding Documents of the United States | The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers - Full. Please call to be added to the wait list.
Victoria Mora and Mike Peters
In addition to being the founding documents of America, the Declaration, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers are among the most thoughtful works of political theory. Explicitly and implicitly, substantively and formally, they address fundamental questions about human nature, the nature and purposes of government, and the conditions under which liberty is possible. We will approach these works on their own terms and from the standpoint of what they tell us both about our republic in the 18th century and today.
Wisdom of Solomon
Patricia Greer and Michael Wolfe
The Biblical First Book of Kings tells us that “the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind.” Given this reputation, it is natural that wisdom-seekers would turn to the three books of the Bible that are attributed to Solomon: the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. To our surprise, however, these three books display a striking variety in style and outlook. In this seminar, we will read these three books, together with the story of Solomon as related in the First Book of Kings, to inquire whether a coherent portrait of Solomon’s character and wisdom emerges from these diverse sources.
William Faulkner | Go Down, Moses
Andy Kingston and Frank Pagano
This novel, which is a series of episodes or stories, brings to light the fundamental American hope. The American people and land, somehow innocent but tainted by a terrible crime, can be delivered from its sin. Ike McCaslin discovers the sin, watches the land desecrated, and nevertheless keeps faith with the American promise. In Go Down, Moses, Faulkner gives his fullest portrait of American exceptionalism. America gives birth to a deep musical prayer for salvation.
Afternoon
Henry James | The Golden Bowl
Victoria Mora and Peter Pesic
James’s novel about truth and infidelity in love and art was his final major work, ending a memorable phase of his fiction that aimed to break new ground in the depth and density of their inner explorations, their searching quest for the meaning and value of truth in a world of appearances.
Vivaldi | Griselda
and Puccini | La Bohème
William Fulton and Andy Kingston
Antonio Vivaldi, now better known as a composer of concertos (especially the four violin concertos known as The Four Seasons), was one of the most successful opera composers of his day. We will discuss one of his mature works, Griselda (libretto by Zeno revised by Goldoni), and have the rare chance to see it as performed in the Santa Fe Opera’s production by Peter Sellars. We will also explore and discuss the characteristics and conventions of early 18th century Italian opera in contrast with a prime example of late 19th century Italian opera, Puccini’s ever popular La Bohème. No prior experience or knowledge of music or opera is required. Participants are encouraged to attend the performances at the renowned Santa Fe Opera.
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