BECKFORD
William Beckford (1760 – 1844) was a wealthy English novelist and art collector. Beckford’s literary reputation is based mainly on his Orientalist novel, Vathek. He was caught in a sex scandal with a much younger cousin, Lord William Courtenay. He was forced to flee England with his pregnant wife, Lady Margaret, who died abroad. Though ostracized by society, he returned to England, and had built Fonthill Abbey, the most sensational building of the English Gothic Revival, famed for its soaring but unstable tower. Short of funds because of his compulsive art and furniture collecting, he sold Fonthill and much of his art collection and retired to Bath. Beckford, the opera, traces his character through coming of age, the creation of Vathek, sexual transgression, and the building and sale of Fonthill.
In the Prologue set at Beckford’s coming of age party, a cantata is performed where Beckford, Lord William Courtenay, and Lady Margaret portray characters based on Vathek.
It is Christmas Week at Splendens Mansion at Fonthill, 1781. There is a second curtain for a cantata that slowly opens. The Egyptian Hall is lit by Loutherbourg who revolutionized theatrical lighting at Drury Lane by a combination of moving pictures accompanied by music, artificial thunder, and lightning. Painted lenses, colored glass and gauze over powerful lanterns gradually light the room in a necromantic light. A fanciful projected tower lords over all.
William Beckford
William Beckford (1760-1844), writer, art collector, and traveler, is most remembered for his Orientalist novel, Vathek. He is forced to flee to the Continent because of his sexual transgressions. He returns to England to occupy a neo-gothic mansion, Fonthill. Eventually he sells Fonthill to satisfy his mounting debts.
Lady Margaret Beckford
Lady Margaret Beckford (1762-1786), weds Beckford despite his reputation. She warns him against scandal but stays with him nevertheless. They flee to the Continent where she dies after giving birth to a second daughter.
William “Kitty” Courtenay
William “Kitty” Courtenay (1768-1835), the Viscount of Powderham, is known as the most beautiful boy of England. He embarks upon a notorious affair with his older cousin, William Beckford. Scandal awaits.
KEYNES AT VERSAILLES
John Maynard Keynes tried to foster reasoned, economic peacemaking at the Versailles Peace Conference. He teamed up with a German economist, Carl Melchior, to moderate German war reparations, and to foster an economically viable post war. Keynes, a lover of men, was smitten intellectually and sexually with the immaculately turned out Melchior. Melchior is also attracted to Keynes. Peace and love intertwine but Keynes is not able to convince the Allied leaders, Clemenceau, Wilson, or Lloyd George, that an economic peace is attainable.
In this scene from Act One, Keynes and Melchior meet. Sparks fly.
Germany is devastated.
Blockaded, starving.
We prepare for a hungry winter.
Our men, dead or shell-shocked,
Our women search for food
For our children desperate with hunger.
John Maynard Keynes
John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946), a gay British economist, is assigned to support the British contingent at the Versailles Peace Conference. He meets a German economist, Carl Melchior. He is attracted to him on all fronts. Sparks fly.
Carl Melchior
Carl Melchior (1871-1933), German banker and economist, is assigned to the German delegation which must watch from afar as the Versailles Peace Treaty unfolds. He tries to influence the Englishman John Maynard Keynes. Is the influence limited to economic planning or does it go further? His French mistress is not so sure.
A TRIAL OR TWO
Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston, was rumored to be a bigamist. Samuel Foote, British playwright and actor, wrote a satire about her. The Duchess and her supporter, Reverend William Jackson, tried to bribe Foote to stop him producing the play. They failed so Jackson began publishing accusations that Foote was a sexual transgressor. Both the Duchess and Foote were eventually brought to trial.
The excerpt is from the end of Act One. Accusations fly.
Spare me the bitter pill
Of society’s laughter.
I cannot accept a lead role
In this, your vulgar masquerade.
I will not ascend the slippery board
Of public place in promenade.
Samuel Foote
Samuel Foote (1720 – 1777), British playwright and actor, writes satires. Perhaps is going a step too far when he takes on the Duchess of Kingston.
Duchess of Kingston
Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston (1720 – 1788), is rumored to be a bigamist. Playwrites mock her. Society is enthralled.
a call to composers
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