Tom Jobim & Chico Buarque was another successful duet of two Brazilian genii. Today I would like to present you, Esteemed Readers, their musical fruit “Anos Dourados”/”Golden years”. Some air of nostalgie is so necessary in our uneasy days.
Maria KethuProfumo
Esteemed Readers, we continue our Royal voyage. Today we have already arrived to Verdun, a charming town in in the Lorraine Region, very close to Luxembourg. Hurray!
“Early we arrived to Verdun where everything had been arranged so well that we passed the Pentecost Feast there. Verdun is a town built at the bank of the Meuse & one of the best places in Lorraine. The diocese Suffragant belongs to the Archdiocese of Reims. This Church used to have outstanding prelates: Counts de Verdun & Princes de Saint Empire. The River Meuse makes this town fascinating by means of isles it forms. The King Henri II had conquered Verdun in 1522. The chapitre of the local Nostre-Dame Cathedral is considerable. The Bishop received the King in his Episcopal palace. It is very beautiful…and solemn. This Palace had been built in a rock to protect the down Town. Meadows watered with the Meuse & valleys are very fertile & (provide) with all things necessary for life, even most incredible ones… There are numerous kinds of the anice that we call “de Verdun”, or dragées in other words, in this Town. They give it (everywhere): when they make gifts to Sovereigns, in places where the wine is offered. And one hundred boxes were given to the King…
On the Pentecost Day almost the whole Court did its devotion alike the King. That was an extraordinary thing (happened) during the procession, however not new at all for the reign of Louis XIV who supervises everything concerning the Religion & piousness…(After the Second Mass) at the entrance to the Church His Majesty touched the sick, while Mr. Duc de Noailles made bring another group from Chalons. They were placed under the trees of the first court of the Diocese…(Then) the King returned to the Great Mass…After it he desired to touch another seventy ill persons…& he spent the afternoon in the Cathedral listening to the Vespers…”To be continued.
The previous parts for newcomers:
PS. Painting by Nicolas Poussin
Maria KethuProfumo
Esteemed Readers, the Thirty Years War (1618-1648), so we follow its ordinary days, unfortunately without our friends the Spaniards. They have a desirable day-off this time.😁
London, 17th November,1632: “The King of the Great Britain has sent another Resident to Bruxelles. The Marquis Hamilton is to return to the King of Sweden, who tells us (the Frenchmen) his long tales. One day or another we expect Sir Henry Vanc, the Ambassador of his British Majesty to arrive here after King of Sweden in person. Some our fishermen have come to complain that the Dutch took the boats from his compagnons & searched them as the last ones belonged to Dunkerque where the Dutch do the same thing. The news was badly received at the Court. Milord Maltraves, who these subjects belong to, was interrogated & ordered to hold an inquiry: if the Dutch have done it in the manner it has been said. We expect this case will be a pretext for intrigues between us”.
Gallole, 17th November, 1632: “Citizens of Bern have written to eleven Cantons, – not interested in their quarrel with Soleurre, – to send them help in accordance with their (general) alliance to bring to reason persons guilty of death of their subjects. They were not satisfied to imprison only four agressors in the place where they might impede the invasion of the Bernians as it was planned. Thereupon, their true allies must do everything possible to extinguish the fire of the conflict begun by the others.
The Swedish are fortifying Zell & we are in a pretty correspondence with them”.
Peurriere, 18th November, 1631: “A rather extraordinary spirit reigns this place, the land of a great Magician Gofredi. Here people are seeking for the Crosses, candles & ornaments to use them for the Divine need. From the fifteenth of the given month till now they fix them & move from one place to another admiring numerous visitors who hurry here”.
Vive le Roy! 🙂
Maria KethuProfumo
Esteemed Readers, after you have learned about the Soviet horror😁😎, I would like to present you the film that is even famous abroad. It is called “Love & Doves”. It depicts a simple life of a Soviet village. The movie is extremely realistic, has some elements of comedy & a melodrama. The actors had to spend some time in a real village to learn some special features of behaviour.
The plot might seem rather plain. The whole movie tells about the Soviet reality of a common Soviet village family. As it is rather realistic, I’m certain you will be curious to learn the authentic present of the USSR. I find “Love & Doves” very pleasant film, a real treasure with the Russian spirit.
Hurrah! Here is a good version with the English subtitles: Love & Doves film
Enjoy watching!
Maria KethuProfumo
Esteemed Readers, on occasion of the Thanksgiving day I have prepared for you a riddle suitable for this feast. In fact, the given object is a part of a celebration. (Not the turkey though😁). Good luck! Have a nice thanksgiving mood for the riddle!
“I’m both an antidote & a poison. I bring closer Death & prolong Life. I awake senses & lull the reason, besides I create both wars & peace where I desire it. I’m full of friendship & betrayal. I’m involved in weeping & laugh. I deceive those who imprison me. I evoke both sympathy & envy. I make friends quarrel & reconcile. I make a good profit & deprive of property. My colours are alike snow & flame. I increase courage & boldness. I live in a body & I keep my soul in it. And the most licentious persons are fond of my purity”.
REPLY to the Riddle posted on October 27, 2020:EEL☺🤗
Dear John & Luisa, it is your day today! Hurrah!
Vive le Roy! 🙂
Maria KethuProfumo
Louis XIV developed rather successful international policy. The great kingdoms of Asia were one of his targets. He managed to establish very good & fruitful relationship with China, India & the Kingdom of Siam (Thailand) as well.
The decade 1680-1690 meant an intense collaboration with the Siamese realm. His Majesty admired with its monarch Phra Narai, so he made necessary efforts to become his friend through the French ambassadors. During this period France sent five embassies to Siam while the Siamese envoys were gloriously recieved in Versailles. The integration between two countries was based on political, economical & cultural interests. And here Jean-Baptiste Lully’s music played a role of a positive diplomatic massage.
During a visit in 1686 the Siamese ambassadors invited Lully to dine with them. Then the composer, musicians & ballet dancers made a long voyage to Siam to perform before their king Phra Narai.
In 1690 a revolt took place in the magnificent Asian kingdom. King Phra Narai died, while his successor a covetous king Phetracha didn’t desire to reinforce the French-Siamese relationship.
Music breaks borders. It unites cultures & people. Jean-Baptiste Lully’s case proves it again & again.
Vive le Roy!:-)
Maria Kethuprofumo
Esteemed Readers, some time ago I mentioned the movie that brought Bossa Nova to success & made it popular. Today I would like to tell you about it.
Made by Marcel Camus “Orfeu Negro/The Black Orpheus” (1959) is a Brazilian vision of the Greek myth about Orpheus & Eurydice. It is based on the play “Orfeu da Conceiçao” written by Vinicius de Moraes earlier.
The scene is set in a favela of Rio de Janeiro during the Carnival. Escaping from a mysterious man Eurydice comes to Rio to stay in a house of her cousin. She is very frightened as does not who this mysterious person is & why he chases her. There she meets Orpheus, a handsome you man playing the guitar, who is the groom of an attractive but jealous Mira. They fall in love from the first sight. Then the story reveals us mysterious essence of the Brazilian carnival, jealousy of Mira & appearing of the mysterious man, who is an allegoric personification of Death in this story. The spirit of narration becomes rather dark & turns into a thriller. In the end, Eurydice dies & the modern Orpheus must come down to the modern kingdom of the Dead to find her…
I do recommend you, Esteemed Readers, to watch this poetic tragedy as it is a rare gem of the classical cinema. Here is the English link. Enjoy the movie!
Maria KethuProfumo
Esteemed Readers, today I present you a wonderful poetic song by Tom Jobim dedicated to his muse Lygia Marina de Moraes. Our minstrel composed this masterpiece in 1972.
Enjoy listening! 😀🌹🌴
Maria KethuProfumo
Esteemed Readers, no restrictions threaten our historical journey. So, we are still accompanying His Majesty to the blessed city of Luxembourg. I would like to inform you that we have already passed more than 60% of the way, and have reached Châlons-sur-Marne, a wonderful picturesque city in Champagne.
“The King entered Châlons riding & was welcomed by the Major & the Magistrates. There was no oration as he had to give orders for all other places (he was going to move farther), where he would pass by…but he was pleased to recieve Gifts of the City. The Chapter of the Cathedral together with Mr. the Bishop of Châlons had an honour to salute him. The Canons praised the Monarch’s gentleness & affability & they spoke of it without ceasing…
Mr. Duke of Noailles & the Bishop of Châlons his Brother ordered to lay plenty of magnificent Tables for any person of the Court who wished to meal there. Le Jare (town) offered them a great stroll lasted for several hours…At Le Jare an incredible amount of people, who came from any place of Champagne, gathered to welcome the King warm-heartedly. The chief Officers of Troyes City arrived to Châlons. It took them 20 lieues to obtain honour to greet the Monarch. The Ladies of the Province were rather sad due to the order that allowed only few of them who were enlisted to supper with His Majesty…(On his behalf) the King had the kindness to promise them to permit their free presence the next day in the Church Choir where they would have (enough) time to behold His Majesty & the Whole Court during the Mass. (Comment: in Louis XIV’s time to behold the king was a great wish for any Subject of his. It explains why the Almanach highlights it so much). The music of the Cathedral performed a Motet which seemed to make the King contented. Mr. the Bishop Count of Châlons & Mr. Duke of Noailles always accompanied the King while his staying in the city…”To be continued.
The previous parts for newcomers:
PS. Painting by Claude Lorrain
Vive le Roy! 🙂
Marie KethuProfumo
