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30 Jun 08 - 08:13 AM (#2377255) Subject: Dumas fils and bagpipes From: pavane I recently came across this plate in a shop in Liege. It depicts Alexandre Dumas Fils, son of the famous author, and himself a famous author and playwright. He is shown playing bagpipes, but I haven't seen him described as a piper anywhere. Alexandre Dumas Jnr |
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30 Jun 08 - 09:16 AM (#2377296) Subject: RE: Dumas fils and bagpipes From: Bonnie Shaljean It may be alluding to a scene from a drama (though it was written by Dumas the father, not the son) in which a bagpiper is invoked. The play is called Le Vampire and seems to be a rather fantastical tale. Perhaps the plate is making a reference to this, and symbolically showing Dumas as the master piper whose characters must all dance to his tune? But that's only a guess. Anyway, one of the characters (Gilbert) is speaking to some travellers, and says: I have the fairy tapestry... It's one of those youthful dreams which I was telling you about just now -- The chatelaines of Tiffauges have the custom of placing their first born for a day in what we call in the chateau -- the Tapestry Room. On this Tapestry is represented the fairy, Melusina and all her court. Well, is it a dream as I said just now, or is it a reality? When I was a child, sleeping my cradle and the rays of the moon came through the immense window, at midnight, I woke up, and then to my great pleasure, I saw all the personages of the tapestry descend. The player of the bagpipes made everyone dance -- to silent quadrilles with his silent instrument -- whose feet couldn't be heard to resound on the floor -- a huntsman chased a stag with his pack all around the room -- the birds flew about and came to refresh me with the sight of the beating of their wings -- then the fairy herself came to me, all white, all pale, all smiling and she rocked me softly in my cradle, murmuring a song I certainly knew in my childhood -- but whose air and words are lost long since in the noise and agitation of this world -- all materialist and realistic. Links here: http://www.cadytech.com/dumas/work.php?key=343 http://www.cadytech.com/dumas/stories/vampire.php |
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30 Jun 08 - 12:39 PM (#2377485) Subject: RE: Dumas fils and bagpipes From: pavane Sounds a possibility, as he has the actors as puppets on a string tied to his leg! |
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30 Jun 08 - 01:19 PM (#2377531) Subject: RE: Dumas fils and bagpipes From: Bonnie Shaljean Wonder if there's any significance in the fact that the air-bag of the pipes bears some resemblance to a heart (the Valentine-shaped variety, not the realistic kind) - ? |
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30 Jun 08 - 01:27 PM (#2377539) Subject: RE: Dumas fils and bagpipes From: Bonnie Shaljean What's that inscription at the bottom? I can't see it clearly enough on this screen (and my French isn't up to much anyway). Think I see the word "esprit" (spirit / mind / ???) but it's small and faint so I'm not sure - (Is that another Pavane's-phone picture? You're going to have to open an exhibition!) |
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30 Jun 08 - 02:34 PM (#2377602) Subject: RE: Dumas fils and bagpipes From: Malcolm Douglas Ayant de l'esprit comme quatre, Dumas le fils a dit: "Voilà! Ta femme il ne faut pas la battre, Tue-la!" ...which I'd loosely translate: Having the heart* of four Dumas fils has said You mustn't beat your wife Kill her instead! *or 'spirit', 'courage' etc. The phrase occurs in other 19th century writings, with a specific meaning that I can't be quite sure of without recourse to one of the big dictionaries. The 'balloon' emerging from the chanter contains many words, but these are illegible even at high magnification. That's a pity, as I'd expect them to be lines quoted from Dumas and potentially informative. |
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01 Jul 08 - 02:23 AM (#2377976) Subject: RE: Dumas fils and bagpipes From: pavane Yes, it was from my phone, and NOT in Liege as I said (memory fault), it was actually in Longwy in France. I must start carrying a proper camera... Maybe if I get a chance, I will go back and get a better picture which might show the words. |
