This week on the Ether Game Weekly Music Quiz Podcast, we're exploring the cross between classical music and the law, in a show we're calling "Order In The Court"! Can you name this lawful (or lawless) tune? (The answer is below) Remember to keep your ears out for a portion of Tuesday night's Teaser selection. And don't forget to tune into the full show on Tuesday, June 5th at 8:00pm for a chance to win a prize!
Gabriel Fauré (1825–1924), "Prison" from Deux mélodies, op. 83
Wolfgang Holzmair, baritone; Gérard Wyss, piano. Mélodies Françaises: Fauré, Ravel, Duparc (Philips)
In the late 19th century, Gabriel Fauré was considered the greatest master of French song, setting to music to the works of such legendary poets as Victor Hugo and Molière. Our podcast selection is Fauré's setting of a poem by the symbolist poet and fellow Frenchman Paul Verlaine. The work is called "Prison," and since it's a poem, you might think it's about some metaphorical prison (like the "prison of the heart" or something). But in fact, Paul Verlaine actually went to prison. His trouble began when he met the enfant terrible poet Arthur Rimbaud. Verlaine was already married with a kid, but Rimbaud brought out of his creative (and drunken) side, and the two began a torrid love affair. This affair eventually led to a drunken rage where Verlaine fired a gun at Rimbaud. Verlaine was arrested and imprisoned for two years, which only inspired the poet even more.
