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Title details for The Lyre of Orpheus by Robertson Davies - Available

The Lyre of Orpheus

#3 in series

by Robertson Davies
Frederick Davidson
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available

The Cornish Foundation is thriving under the directorship of Arthur Cornish when he and his beguiling wife, Maria Theotoky, decide to undertake a project worthy of the late art expert, collector, and notable eccentric Francis Cornish, whose vast fortune endows the Foundation. It is decided that the Foundation will fund the doctoral work of one Hulda Schnakenburg, a grumpy, remarkably unattractive, and extraordinarily talented music student. Her task is to complete the score of an unfinished opera by the Romantic composer E. T. A. Hoffmann. Additionally, and against all common sense, the Foundation will endeavor to stage the opera, entitled Arthur of Britain, or The Magnanimous Cuckold. The scholarly priest Simon Darcourt finds himself charged with writing the libretto.

As the production takes shape, complications both practical and emotional arise: the gypsy in Maria's blood rises with a vengeance; Darcourt stoops to petty crime; and various others indulge in perjury, blackmail, and other unsavory pursuits. Hoffman's dictum, "The lyre of Orpheus opens the door of the underworld," proves all too true—especially when the long-hidden secrets of Francis Cornish himself are finally revealed.

  • Creators

  • Series

    Cornish Trilogy

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    September 3, 2009

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781483064024
      • File size: 424078 KB
      • Duration: 14:43:29

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      January 1, 1989
      The third volume of the Cornish trilogy has less mystery and suspense than The Rebel Angels and What's Bred in the Bone , but there are still rewards for the reader. This is a deeper, more thoughtful and old-fashioned book, somewhat padded with leisurely asides, snippets of poetry and observations on the subject of artistic creativity. The plot revolves around a production of an unfinished opera by the 19th century composer E.T.A. Hoffmann, whose entreaty ``Let the lyre of Orpheus open the door of the underworld of feeling'' is borne out on many levels. The completion of Hoffmann's Arthur of Britain, or The Magnanimous Cuckold , is sponsored by the Cornish Foundation, presided over by the late benefactor's nephew, Arthur; the duplication of names is not accidental, for in the course of the narrative the modern-day Arthur is cuckolded by his wife, gypsy Maria Theotoky. Packed with interesting details of opera history and production, boasting some new, eccentric characters, and pulling together Robertson's various themes in a harmonic resolution, the novel should satisfy those who will settle for intelligent observations and playful allusions rather than dramatic momentum this time around. 50,000 first printing; $50,000 ad/promo; BOMC and QPBC alternates.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      No other Canadian novelist is lauded and read as widely outside his homeland as Robertson Davies. His characters fascinate, and his gentle, graceful style makes no demands on the reader. His civilized prose should read well aloud--indeed, Davidson helps one hear its strengths. He provides an intelligent, expressive, well-paced rendering of the narrative about a Canadian university professor, as well as vivid impersonations of the characters. However, he has trouble with the "authorial voice." In his mouth, the narrative has a sarcastic, even cynical, edge, whereas Davies's words, though not without humor and irony, are far more empathetic. Y.R. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      January 1, 1990
      The third volume of the Cornish trilogy revolves around the staging of an unfinished opera by a 19th century composer. ``Packed with interesting details of opera history and production, boasting some new, eccentric characters, and pulling together Davies's various themes in a harmonic resolution, the novel should satisfy those who will settle for intelligent observations and playful allusions rather than dramatic momentum , '' reported PW. 100,000 first printing.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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