In the New World I did not have the time or opportunity to enjoy the diversions afforded me in France. We are fortunate to live in a golden age of French drama. Why, even here in the New World we have the benefit of Monsieur Lescarbot’s Theatre de Neptune, performed at Port Royal, which was the first theatrical production staged in this new continent (North America). The sea god Neptune, surrounded by a court of gods and Indians, comes in a ship to bid the traveler welcome. They recite the praises of the leaders of the colony and the glory of the king as trumpets sound and cannons are fired. It was a grand nautical spectacle. In France, of course, drama flourished especially after Protestant and Catholics combined to suppress all religious drama. Unfortunately, it is restricted by those in the academy who control the arts and insist that all plays conform to two rules: the action must take place in a single location and to encompass no more than 24 hours. I enjoy music both secular and religious. Of the former, I like the chanson, (madrigal, a short but elaborate song in five parts often attempting to make musical sound reflect the ideals in the lyrics). I particularly like those of Clement Jannequin such as Chant des Oiseaux (Song of the Birds), where typically for chanson, he has the singers imitating bird sounds. In religious music I admire the great beauty and simplicity of the works of the Italian Palastrina. However, I would be remiss in not mentioning my fascination with the new dance forms in ballet. I have heard reports of the great production Ballet Comique de la Reine, performed before royalty among fountains with aquatic machines and at a cost of 3.5 million francs. I was most fortunate to attend a ballet at court while reporting on New France to Henry 1V. What a delightful spectacle! Thirty genii, suspended in the air, heralded the coming of Minerva, the Queen of Spain. Forty persons were on the stage at once, 30 high in the air, and six suspended in mid-air: all of these dancing and singing at the same time. Return to Other Ways of Seeing... |
