Tag Archives: Shakespeare
When Getting It Right Doesn’t Matter
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 14th September 2025I recently read a review of a movie that involved historical events. The review was generally favorable; its only criticism was that the history was not accurate. I didn’t think about this for very long. I watched the movie and enjoyed it. I quickly forgot the film (and its name) as well as its supposed…
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Astor Opera House Riot
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 23rd June 2025I’ve just written about massacres that are depicted in opera. Here’s a real massacre that happened in front of a New York City opera house. The date was May 10, 1849, the theater was the Astor Place Opera House. I briefly mentioned it in an earlier post. The riot resulted in as many as 32…
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On the Knocking at the Gate
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 19th May 2023“On The Knocking at the Gate” (1823) is the title of a celebrated essay (it’s below) by Thomas De Quincy (1785-1859) about an event that happens in Act 2 scene 2 of Macbeth. The Macbeths have just murdered King Duncan. Macbeth is horrified by what he has done, his wife less so. Lady Macbeth takes…
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On Retirement
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 2nd May 2020Embalming fluid – the only cure for presidential fever* Forced retirement is now imposed on much of the world, I thought it of interest to comment on the retirement of four great figures, three of whom are not usually thought of as ever being retired. The fourth is a strange case of premature retirement. The…
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The Tempest in HD
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 10th November 2012Thomas Adès’ opera The Tempest was first performed at London’s Royal Opera House in 2004. It received it’s Met premiere October 23 of this year with the same cast that performed on today’s telecast. Based on Shakespeare’s final play it has been altered by librettist Meredith Oakes to conform to modern English usage. The result is a sub-sophomoric…
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