Trumpets of Summer, The

Synopsis
The premiere of a a choral suite for mixed chorus, four soloists, male speaker and six instruments commissioned by CBC for the quatercentenary, celebrating the history of Shakespeare within Canadian culture. Music is by John Beckwith and the libretto by Margaret Atwood (then a post-doctoral student). Atwood weaves lines from the plays with different experiences of Shakespeare from schooldays to the Stratford (Ontario) Festival. Narrated by Powys Thomas.
Language
English
Country
Canada
Medium
Multimedia; Radio
Transmission details
1964 at 22:30 (Channel: CBC)

Credits

Director
George Little
Writer
Margaret Atwood
Music
John Beckwith
Contributor
Powys Thomas

Additional Details

Production type
Documentary/Educational/News
Subjects
Drama; Music
Keywords
Canada; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Stratford (Ontario) Shakespeare Festival

Notes

Notes
Audio clips and the Atwood libretto are available at www.canadianshakespeares.ca (accessed 6/2008).
History
The first presentation of the chorale was recorded for CBC radio and was directed by George Little with the Montreal Bach Choir and Le Petit Ensemble. It was first performed November 29 1964. The production was performed four more times throughout the 1960s, the final performance in 1969 when it was recorded under the direction of Elmer Iseler with the Festival Singers of Canada. CBC Archives also hold a recording of this performance. It has rarely been performed since then, as Beckwith states in correspondence "it’s quite difficult, and not in the bland vein favored nowadays" (Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare Project correspondence).

Production Company

Name

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Archive

Name

CBC Broadcasting Centre Archives

Address
205 Wellington Street West
Toronto
Ontario
Canada MSV 3G7

How to cite this record

Shakespeare, "Trumpets of Summer, The". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/shakespeare/search/index.php/title/av71068 (Accessed 03 Oct 2024)