Passover and Poetry
A link from 
inlovewithnight reminded of something I hadn't paid that much attention to in the biographies, to wit, that Byron's Hebrew Melodies poems were originally written as a collaboration with composer Isaac Nathan as actual songs. (More details on the background of their collaboration here.) Isaac Nathan was Jewish, and according to the article(s) n adapted some of the melodies straight from those used in the Sephardic synagogues of London. “She walks in beauty", for example, was written to be sung to a Sephardic tune for “Lekha Dodi”? You can listen to and download the songs/poems in their musical form here.
What I hadn't known or didn't remember anymore until now was that Byron's relationship with Isaac Nathan didn't end there. They remained friends, and when Byron's marriage ended in spectacular scandal and he left England, Nathan in an ia both touching and charming gesture send him Matzos shortly before his departure:
7, Poland Street, Tuesday morning.
My Lord,
I cannot deny myself the pleasure of sending your Lordship some holy biscuits, commonly called unleavened bread, denominated by the Nazarenes Motsas, better known in this enlightened age by the epithet passover cakes; and as a certain angel at a certain hour, by his presence, ensured the safety of a whole nation, may the same guardian spirit pass with your Lordship to that land where the fates may have decreed you to sojourn for a while.
My Lord,
I have the honor to remain,
Your Lordship’s
Very obliged and devoted servant,
I. Nathan
Byron replied:
Piccadilly, Tuesday evening.
My Dear Nathan, - I have to acknowledge the receipt of your very seasonal bequest, which I duly appreciate; the unleavened bread shall certainly accompany me in my pilgrimage; and with full reliance on their efficacy, the Motsas shell be to me a charm against the destroying Angel wherever I may sojourn; his serene highness, however, will, I hope, be polite enough to keep at a desirable distance from my person, without the necessity of besmearing my door posts or upper lintels with the blood of any animal. With many thanks for your kind attention, believe me, my dear Nathan,
Yours very truly,
Byron
***
And speaking of British poets, today is Shakespeare's deathday which traditionally serves as his birthday as well, and seeing as this year the guy from Stratford is under siege by Oxfordians again, I could not leave it unmarked, though I have nothing substantial to add to the posts from previous years on the occasion. Watch this scene from Much Ado About Nothing instead. Beatrice and Benedick's early sparring is glorious fun, but this scene in Act 4, directly after Claudio has left (and shamed) Hero in front of the altar, is in any performance the one that makes and breaks the couple. It's the jesters not jesting, grief, anger, happiness, masks falling, anger again, and one of my favourite scenes that Definitely-From-Stratford Shakespeare ever wrote, as performed by Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh.
In other news, am with the Aged Parents right now for the Easter holidays, which means little posting oppportunity until said holidays are over.
This entry was originally posted at http://selenak.dreamwidth.org/673571.html. Comment there or here, as you wish.
inlovewithnight reminded of something I hadn't paid that much attention to in the biographies, to wit, that Byron's Hebrew Melodies poems were originally written as a collaboration with composer Isaac Nathan as actual songs. (More details on the background of their collaboration here.) Isaac Nathan was Jewish, and according to the article(s) n adapted some of the melodies straight from those used in the Sephardic synagogues of London. “She walks in beauty", for example, was written to be sung to a Sephardic tune for “Lekha Dodi”? You can listen to and download the songs/poems in their musical form here.
What I hadn't known or didn't remember anymore until now was that Byron's relationship with Isaac Nathan didn't end there. They remained friends, and when Byron's marriage ended in spectacular scandal and he left England, Nathan in an ia both touching and charming gesture send him Matzos shortly before his departure:
7, Poland Street, Tuesday morning.
My Lord,
I cannot deny myself the pleasure of sending your Lordship some holy biscuits, commonly called unleavened bread, denominated by the Nazarenes Motsas, better known in this enlightened age by the epithet passover cakes; and as a certain angel at a certain hour, by his presence, ensured the safety of a whole nation, may the same guardian spirit pass with your Lordship to that land where the fates may have decreed you to sojourn for a while.
My Lord,
I have the honor to remain,
Your Lordship’s
Very obliged and devoted servant,
I. Nathan
Byron replied:
Piccadilly, Tuesday evening.
My Dear Nathan, - I have to acknowledge the receipt of your very seasonal bequest, which I duly appreciate; the unleavened bread shall certainly accompany me in my pilgrimage; and with full reliance on their efficacy, the Motsas shell be to me a charm against the destroying Angel wherever I may sojourn; his serene highness, however, will, I hope, be polite enough to keep at a desirable distance from my person, without the necessity of besmearing my door posts or upper lintels with the blood of any animal. With many thanks for your kind attention, believe me, my dear Nathan,
Yours very truly,
Byron
***
And speaking of British poets, today is Shakespeare's deathday which traditionally serves as his birthday as well, and seeing as this year the guy from Stratford is under siege by Oxfordians again, I could not leave it unmarked, though I have nothing substantial to add to the posts from previous years on the occasion. Watch this scene from Much Ado About Nothing instead. Beatrice and Benedick's early sparring is glorious fun, but this scene in Act 4, directly after Claudio has left (and shamed) Hero in front of the altar, is in any performance the one that makes and breaks the couple. It's the jesters not jesting, grief, anger, happiness, masks falling, anger again, and one of my favourite scenes that Definitely-From-Stratford Shakespeare ever wrote, as performed by Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh.
In other news, am with the Aged Parents right now for the Easter holidays, which means little posting oppportunity until said holidays are over.
This entry was originally posted at http://selenak.dreamwidth.org/673571.html. Comment there or here, as you wish.