I didn't realize that one needed a resume to post... but with only one lifespan, I'll admit to placing more emphasis on the sciences and a few other interests. A jack of all trades rather than a master of one- but trying for mastery in some.

However, as a North American that has listened to classical music her entire life and having more than a passing interest in history, I'm not an ignoramus either. And it has been my observation that no matter the field... expert opinion is rarely unanimous and often quite contentious. This whole thread being a small scale example.

As for my point about Vivaldi... it doesn't take much to be "lost to history" even in a civilization with extensive written records. So if adapting some poetry to music - we are NOT talking about rewriting the poems themselves as poetry- helps keep a person's work alive for new generations, this is not a bad thing. Lack of interest, for whatever reason, can accomplish as much as the burning of Alexandria's library.

There would be no compilation of C Fox Smith's work if not for the efforts of many, like the Old Poetry website, and the hard work done by Charlie and Jim to get it into print.

And if alteration of a poem for any reason is offensive to some, they are not obliged to listen. Buy the book and curl up with that.