Arachnophonia: Don Quixote

Posted on March 14, 2022 by marmstr3

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Xipeng (class of 2024) and features a DVD performance of the ballet Don Quixote. Thanks, Xipeng!

Don Quixote

Don Quixote, a dramatic love story on tiptoe

Don Quixote de la Mancha is a Spanish novel written by Miguel de Cervantes. The main character of this novel is named Alonso Quixano, who read many chivalric romances and lost in his dream of becoming as a knight. He recruited Sancho Panza, a farmer, as his squire and started his journey.

The theme of the ballet is adapted from the original novel but only focuses on two chapters. Taking place in Spain, the dancing language expresses enthusiastic, strong and powerful cultural characteristics with various dance types, including Romani dance and Flamenco. The dancing techniques require high standard with daring balance, twisting leaps and 32 fouettés, which is one of the most classic whipping turns.

The music composed by Ludwig Minkus also contributes to this spectacular showcase. One thing to note is that the choreography was first created by Marius Petipa, and even thought his creation has been through several revivals, it still serves as the most important foundation for Don Quixote ballet productions. The video available in the Music Library was choreographed by Mikhail Baryshnikov, and is located in the DVDs section.

A quote from Royal Opera House said that “It is one of the few Petipa ballets to be named for the hero rather than the heroine. It is a comic ballet in a sea of danced melodramas, and contains more character dancing than any other Petipa work on view today.” I am sure you will definitely enjoy the showcase even with only one act!

Arachnophonia: Carmen

Posted on March 2, 2022 by marmstr3

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Brianna (class of 2023) and features Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen. Thanks, Brianna!

Carmen

Carmen is a French opera composed by George Bizet that premiered in 1875. Since then, there have been numerous productions of Carmen, a few of which the Parsons Music Library has on DVD available to check out!

French opera is one of my favorite styles of opera, as it generally involves lots of dance numbers. This is due to the fact that when French opera began, ballet was a major component as the French thought Italian opera was lacking. Carmen was written in the French genre opéra-comique, which translates to “comedic/comical opera”. The story follows a naive soldier named Don Jose, who is seduced by Carmen and is ultimately led to his downfall.

The music is all but legendary, with the most famous pieces likely being “Los Toreadors” and “Habanera.” George Bizet will have you humming his tunes for days after you watch this opera! It is a fun, wild ride from start to finish and definitely worth checking out.

Arachnophonia : Rent – Filmed Live on Broadway (2008)

Posted on October 16, 2019 by marmstr3

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student worker Meghan (class of 2020) and features a filmed performance of the musical Rent. Thanks, Meghan!

Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway

Rent is a Tony award-winning musical production that originated on Broadway in 1994, and has since been remade into a movie and has been touring since its 20th anniversary in 2014. The story follows a group of New York City bohemians who are struggling to make their rent payments, while juggling the challenges of the AIDS epidemic that directly affects a few main characters. We see the ups and downs of their lives, all set to catchy rock music.

This musical is a personal favorite of mine. I remember stumbling across it about 8 years ago, when I was entirely too young to really understand what was going on. I can remember my attraction to the upbeat rock music, which I had never experienced in a musical theater setting before. However, as I got older and began to grasp the story line that the talented actors were portraying, it suddenly clicked: it is such a powerful work targeting tough social justice issues.

From homelessness and poverty, to the AIDS epidemic, drug abuse, and homosexuality, this musical puts faces, names, and stories behind people who grapple with the challenges associated with these and the experiences they have. Especially for those who were born in the 1990s and after, they don’t really have an idea of what the AIDS epidemic was like in the United States. This musical is a way for us to get a glimpse into what the lives of affected individuals were like. We see a heartbroken romantic partner and devastated friends lose a loved one, we see others struggle with past losses, and we see others just wondering when it will be their turn. At times, it can be hard to watch these characters go through this, especially because the writing and acting is so realistic and authentic. However, I think it is important to watch, as it gives us a chance to reflect on our own privilege, and how lucky we are today. We never know when our time is up in this world. We must treat every day like there is “no day but today”, and we must hold onto what is important. There’s only 525,600 minutes a year: how will you measure your year?

Spider Sounds: “The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll”

Posted on September 7, 2016 by marmstr3

Editor’s Note: “Spider Sounds” invites members of the University of Richmond community to share their thoughts about CDs and other items in the Parsons Music Library’s collection. The links included will take you to the library catalog record for the item in question, or to additional relevant information.
Today’s installment of “Spider Sounds” comes courtesy of UR Music Department faculty member Joanna Love, Ph.D., who is on sabbatical currently but was kind enough to share her thoughts on a 5 disc set of DVDs entitled “The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” This multi-part documentary covers rock history from its beginnings in the 1950s to Lollapalooza in the 1990s and features interviews, classic footage and concert performances. Thanks, Joanna!

Time Life Video
The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll

I really like the Time Life History of Rock n Roll DVD collection.
It provides insightful (and entertaining) primary and secondary source interviews that situate American musical styles popular in the latter half of the 20th century within American culture, the music industry, and technological innovations.
It’s particularly interesting that you get to see the artists and producers themselves reflecting on their music.

Happy Birthday, Julie Andrews!

Posted on October 1, 2015 by marmstr3

“Julie Andrews Park Hyatt, Sydney, Australia 2013” by Eva Rinaldi from Sydney Australia

Today (October 1, 2015) is Dame Julie Andrews‘ 80th birthday!

Julie Andrews (née Julia Elizabeth Wells) was born in 1935 in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England.

She is probably best known today for her roles in the 1964 Walt Disney film Mary Poppins and for the 1965 film production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound Of Music.

In addition to these classics, which are both available to borrow at the MRC in Boatwright Memorial Library, the Music Library has some other items featuring Julie Andrews that are worth a look.

Don’t Go in the Lion’s Cage Tonight is new addition to our collection. It’s a reissue of a 1962 album of “Heartrending Ballads & Raucous Ditties” in British Music Hall style.

We also have vocal scores and cast recordings of some of her London and Broadway stage shows such as My Fair Lady and Camelot.

The Music Library also has an assortment of DVDs featuring Julie Andrews like her last screen musical, Victor/Victoria or the documentary series Broadway: The American Musical, in which she serves as host.

These items and many more fabulous resources are available for you to check out now at the Music Library, so come see us!

Listening In

News from Parsons Music Library at The University of Richmond

Tag Archives: DVDs

Arachnophonia: Don Quixote

Arachnophonia: Carmen

Spider Sounds: “The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll”

Happy Birthday, Julie Andrews!