Dear Brian, I want to thank you for all the most excellent work you have done recently to rewrite the article on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition; it was epic in its own right! I, for one, very much appreciate the many improvements you have brought to the article. Thank you for all your contributions to our encyclopedia. With kind regards; Patrick. ツ Pdebee.(talk)(become old-fashioned!)22:54, 30 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you for your kindness. I've always felt that this expedition got less recognition than it deserved, particularly in the UK – perhaps this will help to redress the balance, somewhat. Brianboulton (talk) 11:22, 1 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I have just received an email from Brian's daughter to say that he died peacefully on 9 December, following a long illness. Requiescat in pace. 106 FAs, 2 FLs, gawd knows how many source and prose reviews at FA, and countless numbers of editors helped, encouraged and improved over the years. A good friend to all who met him, and this place is a little less appealing now he won't be here anymore. – SchroCat (talk) 16:49, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I've never met Brian, but have followed his work here on this Wikipedia Project. I always looked forward to his next article which he felt moved to work on. His work is exemplary and worthy of recognition throughout this entire project. He will be surely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. HJKeats (talk) 17:10, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
This is devastating news. I was fortunate to have met him and I shall cherish it always. A fabulous writer and a lovely man. Thank you for your work Brian. My very best wishes to his family at this difficult time. CassiantoTalk17:44, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
A lovely person, funny, wise, patient and helpful. Wikipedia owes him much, and so do I: he was a mentor to me, he taught me such a lot, and I shall miss him dreadfully. The world is a better place for Brian's sixty-something years of being in it. I hope it is of some small comfort to Brian's family to know how deep the affection and respect for him were here. Bless you, dear Brian! Tim riley talk17:56, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
BB was an extraordinary contributor, and I cherish the interactions I had with him here. His work enriched this encyclopedia and its mission. -- Ssilvers (talk) 19:03, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
My heart sank as I read this very sad news just now. I thought I’d found another wonderful, dedicated fellow editor with whom to develop a working relationship on Antarctic explorations, and I’d only just awarded him the above barnstar a week ago. I am so sad, and wish to send my condolences to his family and friends. Farewell, Brian; you will be missed by all who knew you. — Patrick. Pdebee.(talk)(become old-fashioned!)19:39, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I did have the privilege of meeting him once. An immense loss to his family, and also to Wikipedia. Gave generously of his time and advice to the end. It's stunning knowing that there will never be more pithy, to the point comments over his signature.--Wehwalt (talk) 21:51, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
This is sad news. I also only had the pleasure of meeting Brian once, but it was a great pleasure indeed. On Wiki, we had more encounters, in which his knowledge, his depth of understanding, his compassion and his tolerance shone through. His contribution to this place is self-evident, through his FAs and his incredible industry, but also through the spirit of collaboration he exemplified so well. KJP1 (talk) 22:14, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I have had the benefit of several of his rigorous but good-spirited source reviews. One of my proudest Wikipedian moments was when Brian wrote "A clean bill of health ... Very professionally done" in a source review of one of my FACs. The thought that I shall not have another opportunity to prove myself worthy of him is thoroughly depressing. The world is poorer. Gog the Mild (talk) 22:25, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Very sad - I only met Brian once, but saw him a good deal online. A great Wikipedian, who has already been greatly missed since he reduced his editing, and will continue to be. All best wishes to his family, Johnbod (talk) 01:37, 11 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Not only was Brian an incredible writer and reviewer, but he had that amazing quality of being able to get more out of those around him. His work at FAC over countless years has vastly improved Wikipedia for the better, and I am deeply saddened to hear this news. Harriastalk10:29, 11 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I'm really upset to hear this. I met Brian once at the "Wehwalt Arms" a few years back where we were glad to see him after a round of ill health, and it was genuinely nice to speak to him and hear his enthusiastic words about various articles he had worked on. His writing and track record of FAs is incredible, and he is one of the most talented and patient Wikipedians I have known. Please give my condolences to his family. Ritchie333(talk)(cont)14:41, 11 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Brian was a brilliant contributor and a highly accomplished writer. I once suggested to him the he should consider applying to be a Mastermind contender with the Antarctic expeditions of Scott et al. as his specialist subject. But his renowned modesty prevailed and he claimed he new very little about the subject – despite his numerous Featured Articles on the subject. Brian and I joined Wikipedia around the same time and Brian's gentle manners combined with his powerful intellect was one of the reasons why I decided to stay. I thought that if all Wikipedia editors were as kind and gifted as this man, I would love it here. I am deeply saddened and I will miss him so much. Goodbye dear Brian. Graham Beards (talk) 15:22, 11 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Devastated. A kind, expert, willing and helpful Wikipedian, par excellence. This place will be far the worse without him. I do hope his family see these messages and realise how much his onwiki 'family' appreciated him too. I can only imagine how much someone with such a kindly footprint on the internet must have been loved in real life. --Dweller (talk) Become old fashioned!15:32, 11 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I'm deeply grateful to have worked with Brian at FAC and peer review and elsewhere. He was incredibly erudite, incredibly productive, incredibly steady: a great editor. Finetooth (talk) 20:20, 11 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
A true gentleman and a scholar who was unending helpful and always led by example. Once had the pleasure of meeting him, and hew be sorely missed. Ceoil (talk) 21:54, 12 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks to everyone for their moving tributes to Brian; it means more to us than we can say. We are amazed to see how widely he was loved and respected by this community, and so happy to know that so many people have him in their thoughts. We have created this user page to upload one or two more photos of Brian (but the account needs to be confirmed first). We are also creating a memorial page which we will share on our user page in the next few days when it is ready. We always knew that Brian was an extremely kind and clever man, but seeing his contributions to this project have shown us just how generous and (more surprisingly!) patient he could be too. Brianboulton's Family (talk) 13:03, 12 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
So sorry to hear this -- the place really will not be the same without Brian. I envy my colleagues who had the chance to meet him in the flesh. It was entirely natural and appropriate that he was the driving force behind the FAC Mentoring Scheme, as he was really a mentor to us all. My sincere condolences to his family -- he will be greatly missed. Ian Rose (talk) 13:17, 13 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
All my condolences to you. He has had a lasting positive impact on all of those, myself included, who interacted with him. His legacy lives on in wikipedia at large.Iry-Hor (talk) 21:14, 13 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I just saw the sad news on the FAC talk page. Brian had an incredibly deep commitment to improving the quality of pages on Wikipedia, through his content work and reviews of articles. He is undoubtedly one of the best editors Wikipedia has ever seen, and all of us will miss him. If his family is still watching this page, please accept my condolences, and rest assured that Brian has left a lasting legacy on the site. Giants2008 (Talk) 22:45, 13 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I cannot begin to say how sorry I am. I had the privilege of meeting Brian and his daughter in London once, and this news breaks my heart. Brian was an amazing man and a true scholar, and the world is a lesser place without him. If his family and friends are reading, please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. He is a man I will truly never forget. User:Kafka Liza girl is no one23:28, 13 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
My deepest condolences to Brian's family. He was without a doubt the finest editor that Wikipedia has seen. Not only for his many wonderful articles which combined meticulous scholarship with clear and engaging writing but also for his unfailing kindness, civility, and collaborative spirit. He has left a beautiful legacy not only to us, his fellow Wikipedians, but also to thousands of ordinary readers around the world. We shall not see his equal again. Voceditenore (talk) 06:53, 14 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
RIP Brianboulton, one of the finest editors this site ever had. I knew you weren't well but I didn't realise you didn't have much time left. If I'd known I'd have spoken to you before you passed and thanked you. We spoke many times privately and always found you to be a classy guy and always the voice of reason. Thankyou for your fine contributions and expert guidance with Featured Articles and TFA. We will all greatly miss you Brian.♦ Dr. Blofeld13:48, 15 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I am very sorry to hear of Brian's loss. He was, without a doubt, one of the finest and most eloquent editors in the history of Wikipedia. He built a lasting legacy of high quality writing on the encyclopaedia that will live on. Thank you for all your time volunteering Brian. MWright96(talk)15:53, 17 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I can only echo what others have said. Brian was a huge help to me when I first started on WP, and was unfailingly full of wise advice whenever asked. I was lucky enough to collaborate with him on one article, and it was a rare honour. My deepest sympathy to his family, and I hope it is a small comfort to see how fondly he is remembered here by so many people grateful to have known him. Sarastro (talk) 21:39, 17 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I am shocked and greatly saddened to hear this. An irreplaceable editor with the highest of personal and professional standards – he will be most sorely missed. Heartfelt condolences to friends and family. DBaK (talk) 10:20, 20 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
My condolences to his loved ones and friends. He was among one of the best collaborators to FAC process, from my limited interactions with him. His role was literally quite irreplaceable, and I will miss him and his insightful inputs. epicgenius (talk) 18:54, 20 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Though I only worked with him once, he and his great contributions—especially those at FAC—will be missed by many. Condolences to his friends and family; rest in peace. ComplexRational (talk) 15:20, 23 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I remember how Brian would also take his time on articles I've nominated for FA to ensure quality. RIP Brian, you will be missed. Erick (talk) 23:44, 25 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
About five years ago I became more involved on Wikipedia and requested a peer review of an article I had been working on. After waiting a few weeks, Brian noted that I had waited long enough and provided a review. His detailed feedback and graceful criticism there and on future GA/FA reviews were instrumental in my development both as a Wikipedian and a writer in general. He showed resilience in continuing to contribute to the project despite his illness. He will be greatly missed. Tonystewart14 (talk) 08:28, 26 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Late to hear about this and I don't think I ever interacted with Brian directly, but I've seen his name around many times. His work on Wikipedia has done a huge amount of good, and will continue to be of huge benefit to our readers. He will be missed, and my condolences to his family and all who knew him. — Bilorv (talk) 01:53, 29 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you Brian for what you've given to the world by your volunteering here at Wikipedia! Your influence will be felt by countless readers over generations. Your family should be proud of what you've done, which is altruism of the highest order. Rest easy. Jason Quinn (talk) 08:25, 2 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Greatly saddened to hear this news, which I only just found out about. A few months ago, I had noticed his recent return to one of his topic areas with his work on Australasian Antarctic Expedition and List of members of the Australasian Antarctic expedition. I had been looking forward to more, but it was not to be. I will always remember watching in awe as he wrote articles such as those in his sandboxes. He had a real talent for writing and he was amazingly generous with his time for reviewing articles. RIP Brian. Condolences to his family and friends, and thank you to his family for sharing their memories of him with us. Carcharoth (talk) 18:02, 6 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Very sad to see this. Interaction with him was always an enjoyable and fruitful experience, and his opinions and contributions were always well-considered and respectful of other editors. A great loss for everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him, even via the internet. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Constantine ✍ 20:14, 10 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]
I'm back after a 10 year hiatus. I see user names and I can't really remember why I liked one and disliked another back in the day. Brian was one that I liked. Peregrine Fisher (talk) 03:21, 1 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
this is very sad news. I am touched and inspired by the depth and profundity of his work and his creative efforts here. he will be greatly missed. --Sm8900 (talk) 01:52, 11 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
I have only just seen this. I had the good fortune to meet Brian, as well as a relative of his (a daughter, I think) nearly three years ago in London. Good man, longstanding Wikipedian. A loss that he has now died. Best wishes to his family. Acalamari09:38, 3 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]
I also have only just seen this, and although I never met Brian in person, I have many affectionate memories of his personable presence here on Wikipedia. Best wishes from [an ex regular editor] MistyMorn (talk) 15:37, 5 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]
I was recently reading through Brian's painstaking review of the lengthy Franz Kafka article from some time ago. I cannot remember seeing such dedication to the project and commitment to improving the quality of articles, as Brian maintained towards his work here. We are surely poorer for our loss, but richer for having Brian as our inspiration for what can be achieved here with civility, humor, patience and a willingness to help others. RandomGnome (talk) 07:13, 19 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]
"Never Forget You" – Mariah Carey. Though I may not have known this sooner, I have recently discovered lots of your work especially in FA reviews (where I was paying more attention to). RIP, you are an inspiration to us all. VincentLUFan (talk) (Kenton!) 14:54, 25 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]
A lasting impression and an impact that transcends the length of life itself. You may be gone from our sight, precious angel, but time itself can not remove you from our hearts. We learn to move forward without your physical presence but ever mindful that your Song is shining on us in a beautiful and warm display of colors. Your Wikipedia colleagues remember, Brian. --ARoseWolf18:45, 19 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Remembering Brian
Dear colleagues,
I wanted to create something by which we could all commemorate our friend Brian and, although userboxes are often used for frivolous purposes, it occurred to me that it would be meaningful simply to display the following userbox on our user pages:
The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.
I received an email notice from his daughter. I assume others have as well. He was definitely one of the nice guys. I remember Ceoil once referred to him as an angel. ♦ Lingzhi2(talk)22:02, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
This is a gut punch; I so dearly loved our Brainy Brian. May he rest in eternal peace and his family know how much he was loved and appreciated. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 22:10, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
He touched all of our lives and his articles touch the lives of so many. Still, this is devastating news. Condolences to his family and so many belated thanks to Brian for the help he offered me and apologies for the many times I was grouchy and cranky, peace be with you. Thanks Ling for posting this. Victoria (tk) 22:49, 10 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Wow, Brian is one of the many people around here whom I have never actually met, but has helped me become a better writer, and frankly a better person. He will be missed.Dave (talk) 02:35, 11 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I'm deeply grateful to have worked with Brian at FAC and peer review and elsewhere. He was incredibly erudite, incredibly productive, incredibly steady: a great editor. Finetooth (talk) 03:54, 11 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks Brian for all the source reviews you conducted to keep the FAC process moving. Unfortunately, those were my sole interactions with BB. Mr rnddude (talk) 05:16, 11 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I was shocked when I learned of it, and left a message on his talk page. Should we perhaps move the above to there, where his relatives will be more likely to look? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:40, 11 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
There ought to be a fitting epitaph borrowed from some Antarctic explorer but (to quote Brian instead), most of them are "Zzzzzzz" when not exploring. Yomanganitalk
All of us who interacted with him can testify that he had a positive impact on this community and wikipedia at large. His legacy lives on here.Iry-Hor (talk) 21:10, 13 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
This is just heartbreaking. There are very few editors (if any) who have done more for the FAC process, or Wikipedia in general, than Brian. I'd go even farther than FunkMonk and say the site won't be the same without him. Giants2008 (Talk) 22:38, 13 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I'm sad to hear this - I didn't work closely with Brian, but he reviewed a number of my articles at FAC over the years and he was always pleasant to work with. Parsecboy (talk) 17:18, 17 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Sadness has conquered my heart after I got this news. I hope he had a happy life and it's sad to hear another great editor has to go away from us. I've never known him or worked with him but I hope his soul will rest in peace amen. Cheers. CPA-5 (talk) 12:03, 23 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Like Casliber, I missed this last month as well (I left my condolences on Brian's user talk page). A couple of suggestions: (1) the tributes and condolences being expressed here (at WT:FAC) will at some point disappear into the archives. Maybe at that point (or before?) they should be copied over to Brian's talk page where others have also left condolences (I am not sure if the family will necessarily find their way here even though there are links from there to here and pings made here). (2) While reading condolences left at another recently deceased Wikipedian's talk page (see here) I was reminded that sometimes the Wikipedia community create more lasting memorials (e.g. naming an award or process after someone - see 'The McLellan Quaich' at the aforementioned talk page). I suspect the best tribute to Brian would be to ensure that FAC and other reviewing areas remain healthy (see discussions further down the page) and to do some reviews! But am making the suggestion here in case there is any desire to do something along those lines (there is also a memorial userbox mentioned on Brian's talk page that some people have started using). (3) Could someone put something fitting at Wikipedia:Deceased Wikipedians/2019 (the main 'deceased' page has this)? (4) Along similar lines, maybe something could be written up for The Signpost (I left a note here). Carcharoth (talk) 13:54, 10 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]
I just found this out now. I only saw Brian and his sources during my first successful FAC, but he was very thorough with his spotchecks and easygoing with me, and looking at other FACs he was the same. The FAC community is now worse off without him, and I send my condolences to Mr. Boulton's family, friends, and loved ones. – John M Wolfson (talk • contribs) 00:35, 17 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.
Dear colleagues,
Since Brian's final contribution here was his rewrite of Australasian Antarctic Expedition, might it be a fitting tribute to his memory if one (or more) of you with the required expertise would nominate that article for GA, and possibly FA soon thereafter?
Thank you for giving this a thought, and for your consideration.
With kind regards;
Patrick. ツ Pdebee.(talk)(become old-fashioned!)19:52, 5 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Thank you so much, Yomangani! Speedy Gonzalez!!! ... And with some very entertaining edit summaries, too, which I dare say Brian would have enjoyed! . (I was typing this in, but your edit beat me to it; thank you once more!)
Claudio Monteverdi (15 May 1567 – 29 November 1643) was an Italian composer, string player and maestro di cappella. A composer of both secular and sacred music, and a pioneer in the development of opera, he is considered a transitional figure between the Renaissance and the Baroque periods of music history. He was a court musician in Mantua (c. 1590 – 1613), and then maestro di cappella at St Mark's Basilica in the Republic of Venice. His surviving music includes nine books of madrigals, in the tradition of earlier Renaissance polyphony – but also experimenting with the basso continuo technique, distinctive of the Baroque – as well as large-scale sacred works, including the Vespro della Beata Vergine (Vespers for the Blessed Virgin), and three complete operas. His music enjoyed a rediscovery from the 1880s onwards, and he is now seen as a significant influence in European musical history. Seven of his operas have been lost, but his L'Orfeo (1607) is the earliest opera that is still widely performed. (Full article...)
The Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911–1914), headed by Douglas Mawson, explored the largely uncharted coast of Antarctica due south of Australia. Mawson was inspired to lead his own venture by his experiences on Ernest Shackleton's Nimrod expedition in 1907–1909. During its time in Antarctica, the Australasian Antarctic Expedition's sledging parties covered around 2,600 miles (4,180 km) of unexplored territory. Its ship, SY Aurora(pictured), navigated 1,800 miles (2,900 km) of unmapped coastline. Scientific activities included meteorological measurements, magnetic observations, an expansive oceanographic program, and the collection of many biological and geological samples, including the discovery of the first meteorite found in Antarctica. The expedition was the first to establish and maintain wireless contact between Antarctica and Australia. Its broad exploration program laid the groundwork for Australia's later territorial claims in Antarctica.
This article is about the Vespers for the Blessed Virgin, or Vespers of 1610, by Claudio Monteverdi. His opera L'Orfeo, premiered in 1607, is the first opera still widely performed, and the Vespers are similarly exceptional. Monteverdi, aspiring to a better positiom than court musician in Mantua, demonstrated the broad range of his abilities, writing with a post in Rome in mind, but instead went to San Marco, Venice, a few years later. We don't know if the music was ever performed completely during his lifetime, nor if he actually expected it to be performed that way. Certainly musicologists and musicians have been fascinated from the 20th century on. Monteverdi set much more text than the usual 5 psalms + Magnificat, and required a 10-part choir in one psalm, and a rich orchestra. He combined the ever-present Gregorian chant with dramatic and virtuoso elements from the emerging opera, and offered a great diversity in musical styles and expression. Here is a short introduction, - in the background you hear an extreme performance, a recording which renders only the music Monteverdi wrote (and no additions to make it a proper liturgical vespers service), with 10 singers, and soloists for all instruments. I heard them in concert at the Rheingau Musik Festival which will be missed this year.
The article is the work of many over many years ... The main inspiration came from Brian Boulton who wrote the articles about the composer and his operas, and who generously left me the sources he had collected, the greatest honour I received in my ten years here. (from the FAC)
(1 September 2020 - 1 September was the day of the dedication in 1610, and of our concert in 2019)
Carmen is an opera in four acts which Georges Bizet set to a libretto by the team of Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on Prosper Mérimée's novella. When it was first performed by the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 3 March 1875, its breaking of conventions shocked and scandalized its first audiences. The opera was originally written with musical numbers and spoken dialogue. Set in southern Spain, it tells of the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier who is seduced by the fiery gypsy Carmen, and finally kills her in a jealous rage. The depictions of proletarian life, immorality, and lawlessness broke new ground in French opera. Bizet died suddenly after the 33rd performance, unaware that the work would achieve international acclaim within the following ten years. Carmen has become one of the most frequently performed operas, with the "Habanera" and the "Toreador Song" among the best known of all operatic arias. The music has been acclaimed for its brilliance of melody, harmony, atmosphere and orchestration, and for Bizet's skill in expressing the emotions and suffering of his characters.
The Rite of Spring is a ballet and orchestral concert work by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. It was written for the 1913 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes company, with choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky and stage designs and costumes by Nicholas Roerich. The ballet caused a near-riot in the audience when first performed, on 29 May 1913 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, but rapidly achieved success, and later became recognised as one of the most influential musical works of the 20th century. The score has many novel features, including experiments in tonality, metre, rhythm, stress and dissonance. The scenario is the celebration of spring by various primitive rituals, at the end of which a sacrificial victim dances herself to death. After its explosive premiere the ballet was not performed until the 1920s, when Léonide Massine's rechoreographed version was the first of many innovative productions directed by the world's leading choreographers. Providing "endless stimulation for performers and listeners" alike, The Rite is among the most recorded works in the classical repertoire.
Gianni Schicchi is a comic opera in one act by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Giovacchino Forzano, composed in 1917–18. The work is the third and final part of Puccini's Il trittico, three one-act operas with contrasting themes, following the dramatic Il tabarro and the lyric Suor Angelica. The libretto is based on an incident mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy. Set in 1299 Florence, the title character pretends to be a rich citizen who had died, dictating a new will in favour of the deceased's family members but especially of himself (scene in the premiere pictured). The comedy, a rarity in the composer's work, combines elements of Puccini's modern harmonic dissonances with lyrical passages such as the aria "O mio babbino caro". When Il trittico premiered at New York's Metropolitan Opera on 14 December 1918, only Gianni Schicchi became an immediate hit. It has been performed more frequently than the other two, often combined with other short operas. - TFAtoday by Brian Boulton and Wehwalt
Messiah (HWV 56) is an English-language sacred oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel. Its text was compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. It covers episodes related to the Messiah mostly in verses from the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation. Handel structured the work in three parts, each in scenes as in Baroque opera. Part I covers prophecies, the birth of Jesus and his work, Part II focuses on his Passion, while Part III deals with the resurrection of the dead. Messiah was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 in a Lenten concert, with a small orchestra of trumpets, oboes, strings and continuo. After an initially modest reception, the oratorio became one of the most frequently performed Western choral works, often adapted to large orchestras and choirs after Handel's death. Mozart modified the instrumentation in his arrangement Der Messias to a German text. The famous Hallelujah chorus, concluding Part II, is often performed individually.
We thank you today for Carsten Borchgrevink, introduced (in 2009): "Borchgrevink is an unsung hero of polar exploration. Nobody liked him much; he was pushy, lacked charm, got people's backs up. Yet he was a true pioneer, with a string of Antarctic firsts. In his clumsy way he opened doors that more celebrated figures like Scott and Amundsen later passed through, to win eternal fame and glory for themselves, though hardly anyone has heard of Bochgrevink. So, here's the chance to find out about him and draw your own conclusions." Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:41, 30 June 2022 (UTC)[reply]
We thank you today for Nelson's Pillar, introduced (in 2016): "Nelson's Pillar, erected in 1809 to honour the British hero of Trafalgar, was a feature of Dublin for more than 150 years until, suddenly, it wasn't. Before its sudden demise it was both loved and resented by Dubliners, and survived numerous schemes for its removal or replacement with something specifically Irish. A mixture of bureacracy, sentiment – and the sense that there were more urgent priorities – kept the "one-handled adulterer" on his pedestal for far longer than perhaps even he would have expected. Opinion is divided as to whether his eventual replacement in the city centre, the Spire of Dublin, is a worthy successor."! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:46, 24 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
... and today Benjamin Morrell, introduced: "Here is the story of an enigmatic character, largely forgotten now but who made quite a stir in his time. First American to cross the Antarctic Circle? Perhaps. First man to land on Bouvet Island? Possibly. Discoverer of New South Greenland? Definitely not. The biggest liar in the Pacific? So people said of him." --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:20, 30 June 2023 (UTC)[reply]
OTD Messiah
"Handel's Messiah (premiered in Dublin on 13 April 1742) is among the most frequently performed and best-loved works in all choral music." (Brian Boulton, 2011)
We are thankful for Handel's lost Hamburg operas, introduced (in January 2016): "In his youth, George Frideric Handel served a kind of composer's apprenticeship at the Oper am Gänsemarkt in Hamburg, where he wrote several operas of inordinate length. The first of these, Almira, has survived, and is occasionally performed; the music for the other three has disappeared except for a few scraps. This article examines what remains of these lost operas, and thus has something for everybody. Handel buffs can ponder the possibility that more of the missing music might one day come to light, while those who regard Handelian opera less reverentially will hope that these works stay lost forever and that perhaps others of the opus might one day join them. The article has been charmingly and thoroughly peer-reviewed." - The lost ones are Nero, Florindo and Daphne. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:07, 17 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]
We thank you today Jarrow March. introduced in 2015: "There was nothing revolutionary about the 1936 Jarrow march; it was the polite, constitutional action of a town brought to destitution by 1930s economic policies. They came to London, presented their case, were fobbed off with tea and sympathy, and quietly went home. Yet the march became one of the defining images of the decade, and greatly influenced post-war policies towards full employment – at least until the 1980s. But that's another tale." -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:19, 31 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]
We thank you the article about Kathleen Ferrier, introduced (in 2011): "This is the sad story of a classical singer who, for a few years after the Second World War, became one of the best-known and best-loved performers in Britain and beyond. She died of cancer at the peak of her success; at the time, cancer was never openly discussed, and her death was a stunning shock to a public quite unaware of her illness. It's her centenary next year (22 April), and I'd love to see the article on the front page then."!
We thank you the article Jeremy Thorpe, kindly introduced (in 2015): "Thorpe was the most talked-about politician in England 40 years ago, for all the wrong reasons – see Thorpe affair for details. Last December he died, and a new biography came out – publication had been delayed for fear of libel laws. I've used this new material to expand Thorpe's biographical WP article, and provide a fuller account of his life. I suppose, however, that what will always remain most prominent in readers' minds are the sensational events that finished his career prematurely." -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:34, 16 September 2024 (UTC)[reply]
You introduced: "The Tichborne Claimant has been widely assumed to be a scheming London butcher who wickedly sought a title and fortune by pretending to be Roger Tichborne, the missing heir to that family's lands and wealth. He was proclaimed a fraud and a liar by the English courts, after many years of legal tussling that captivated and divided mid-Victorian England; the case had, in the short term at least, some broader consequences for radical British politics. Was the law's verdict fair and reasonable? Probably... but there will always be the possibility that he was, after all, who he said he was and thus the tragic victim of this intriguing case. The story is genuinely gripping, and I'm surprised that its filmic treatment to date has been so negligible. Please read on and draw your own conclusions."
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