Whitworth Series Devoted To Britten’s ‘War Requiem’
A melding of music, literature and theater, Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem” is seen by members of the Whitworth College faculty as “both a personal and universal response to war, violence and grief.”
And as such, it is the focal piece of a series of lectures sponsored by Whitworth leading up to the Spokane Symphony’s performance of Britten’s musical masterpiece on May 12.
The series, at Whitworth’s Music Recital Hall, includes:
April 10 - A 7 p.m. free lecture by Leonard Oakland titled “Wilfred Owen and the Poetry of War.”
April 17 - A 7 p.m. free lecture by Randi Ellefson titled “Benjamin Britten and Choral Revival in England.”
April 24 - A 7 p.m. free lecture by Randi Ellefson titled “A Preview of the War Requiem.”
May 1 - A 7 p.m. free lecture by Diana Trotter and Rick Hornor titled “Heroes, Heroics and ‘Not About Heroes.”’
May 6-7 - Performances of the dramatic presentation “Not About Heroes” will be held at 8 p.m. Admission is $5, $4 for students. Call 466-3707.
For the May 12 Spokane Symphony concert, call G&B Select-A-Seat.
On the shelves
Lucullus Virgil McWhorter offers a representation of history as seen through Native American eyes in two stories combined into one book, “Tragedy of the Wahk-Shum: The Death of Andrew J. Bolon, Yakima Indian Agent” and “The Suicide of General George A. Custer” (Great Eagle Publishing of Issaquah, Wash., 104 pages, $10.95 paperback).
A small but interesting read, the book offers an alternative version of such well-known historical events as the death of Bolon, which resulted in the hanging of Chief Qualchan by Col. George Wright, and the death of Custer (related here as a suicide).
The reader board
Spokane poet Tom Davis will read his epic poem “Peaceful Valley As Told to Greg King” at 7 tonight at the Anaconda Espresso and Poetry, 510 S. Freya. A $5 donation is requested.
Cathleen Rountree, author of “50 Ways to Meet Your Lover,” will talk about her new book at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington.
C.D. Payne, author of “Youth in Revolt,” will read from his comic novel at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Auntie’s Bookstore.
Teresa Ascone, author of “We’re All Artists: Watercolor for Everyone,” will give a watercolor demonstration at 2 p.m. Saturday at Auntie’s Bookstore.
Seattle poet Craig Van Riper, author of “Making the Path While You Walk,” will read from his book at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Auntie’s Bookstore.