Trumpets of Summer, The

Synopsis: The premiere of a a choral suite for mixed chorus, four soloists, male speaker and six instruments commissioned by CBC for the quatercentenary, celebrating the history of Shakespeare within Canadian culture. Music is by John Beckwith and the libretto by Margaret Atwood (then a post-doctoral student). Atwood weaves lines from the plays with different experiences of Shakespeare from schooldays to the Stratford (Ontario) Festival. Narrated by Powys Thomas.
Language: English
Country: Canada
Medium: Multimedia; Radio
Transmission details: 1964 at 22:30 (Channel: CBC)

Production type: Documentary/Educational/News
Subjects: Drama; Music
Keywords: Canada; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Stratford (Ontario) Shakespeare Festival

Notes: Audio clips and the Atwood libretto are available at www.canadianshakespeares.ca (accessed 6/2008).
History: The first presentation of the chorale was recorded for CBC radio and was directed by George Little with the Montreal Bach Choir and Le Petit Ensemble. It was first performed November 29 1964. The production was performed four more times throughout the 1960s, the final performance in 1969 when it was recorded under the direction of Elmer Iseler with the Festival Singers of Canada. CBC Archives also hold a recording of this performance. It has rarely been performed since then, as Beckwith states in correspondence "it’s quite difficult, and not in the bland vein favored nowadays" (Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare Project correspondence).

British Universities Film & Video Council