The Music Cure

The Music Cure
Written byGeorge Bernard Shaw
Date premiered28 January 1914
Place premieredLittle Theatre in the Adelphi, London
Original languageEnglish
SubjectA weak-willed politician falls in love with a domineering pianist
Genresatire
Setting"A hotel drawing room"
Wikisource has original text related to this article:

The Music Cure, a Piece of Utter Nonsense (1913) is a short comedy sketch by George Bernard Shaw, satirising therapeutic fads of the era and the Marconi scandal of 1912.

Characters

  • Lord Reginald Fitzambey
  • Dr Dawkins
  • Strega Thundridge

Plot

Lord Reginald Fitzambey, Under-Secretary of State for War, is in a distressed state. He explains to his doctor that, knowing the British army would soon be put on a vegetarian diet, he bought shares in the Macaroni Trust. Brought before a parliamentary committee for profiteering, Fitzambey had tried to explain that macaroni was a normal investment. Now he is highly sensitised to anything distressing.

His doctor prescribes rest and offers him opium pills. A woman starts to play the piano, causing Reginald to scream. The woman turns out to be famous pianist Strega Thundridge, employed by Reginald's mother at considerable cost to play in the room for two hours to soothe Reginald's nerves. Although Strega can hear Reginald screaming, she continues to play.

Reginald finds himself powerfully attracted to her, but when he tries to make a pass at her, she starts playing Chopin, causing Reginald convulsions. She then restores his vitality with a stirring Polonaise. Reginald, who adores dominant women, is now hopelessly in love with Strega. He begs her to marry him so she can dominate him completely. She accepts, having always dreamed of meeting a man who was utterly in thrall to her.

Production and reception

Shaw said that the piece was not intended as a 'serious play' but was rather 'what is called a variety turn for two musicians.'[1] It was first performed at the Little Theatre in London as curtain raiser to G. K. Chesterton's first play, Magic, on 28 January 1914.

Shaw had pushed Chesterton into writing a play. In Magic, a character comments on the Marconi Company, which is a reference to the fact that Chesterton's brother had been prosecuted for libel during the Marconi scandal after he criticised government ministers for making allegedly corrupt deals in Marconi shares.[2] Hence Shaw refers to 'Macaroni' [sic] shares in his own short play.

Shaw felt that the play was a disaster, saying in a letter to Lillah McCarthy that it was 'abominable trash' and 'simply unbearable' to watch in performance.[3] Critic Homer E. Woodbridge says that the play is one of Shaw's worst: '"The Fascinating Foundling" and "The Music Cure", another topical skit dealing with the Marconi scandal, vie in flatness with "Passion, Poison and Petrifaction"; both are really beneath criticism.' [4]

The play was made into an opera by Philip Hagemann (1984).[5]

In 2021, Misalliance Repertory Theatre, a Chicago-based company, released a radio-play version of The Music Cure, which is available free to the public via the company's website, MisallianceRepertory.org.

References

  1. ^ Broad, C Lewis and Broad, Violet, Dictionary to the Plays and Novels of Bernard Shaw, A. & C. Black, London, 1929, pp.67.
  2. ^ Langford, David, 'Introduction' to G.K. Chesterton, Magic, English Language Society, 1987.
  3. ^ Holroyd, Michael, Bernard Shaw: 1898–1918: The pursuit of power, Chatto & Windus, 1989, p.269
  4. ^ Homer E. Woodbridge, George Bernard Shaw: Creative Artist, Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale, IL., p.92.
  5. ^ Stanford University Libraries (2019). "Opening Night! Opera & Oratorio Premieres - Philip Hagemann", accessed 14 April 2019.

Read other articles:

Proyeksi Mollweide

Proyeksi dunia Mollweide. Proyeksi Mollweide dengan indikasi deformasi Tissot Proyeksi Mollweide adalah proyeksi peta area pseudosilindris yang sama yang umumnya digunakan untuk peta dunia atau bola langit. Ia juga dikenal sebagai proyeksi Babinet, proyeksi homolografik, proyeksi homolografis, dan proyeksi elips. Proyeksi ini berbagi akurasi sudut dan bentuk untuk akurasi proporsi di area, dan dengan demikian digunakan di mana properti itu diperlukan, seperti peta yang menggambarkan distribus...

 

James Gunn

James GunnJames Gunn, 2014LahirJames Francis Gunn Jr.05 Agustus 1966 (umur 57)[1]St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.KebangsaanAmericanPendidikanLoyola Marymount UniversitySaint Louis University (BA)Columbia University (MFA)PekerjaanDirektur, pembuat film, penovel, aktor, musisiTahun aktif1989–sekarangSuami/istriJenna Fischer ​ ​(m. 2000; c. 2008)​ James Francis Gunn Jr.(lahir 5 Agustus 1966) adalah pembuat film, aktor, pembuat novel d...

 

Criminal Case (permainan)

'Criminal Case' PublikasiFacebook15 November 2012iOS28 Agustus 2014Android15 April 2015GenrePuzzleKarakteristik teknisSistem operasiAndroid dan iOS PlatformAndroid dan iOS ModePermainan video pemain tunggal Formatdistribusi digital dan unduhan digital Metode inputlayar sentuh Format kode Daftar 30 Informasi pengembangPengembangPretty SimplePenerbitGoogle Play dan App Store Penilaian USK Informasi tambahanSitus webcriminalcase.com (Inggris) MobyGamescriminal-case Portal permainan videoSun...

Barfi!

Barfi!Poster rilis teatrikalSutradaraAnurag BasuProduserRonnie ScrewvalaSiddharth Roy KapurAnurag BasuDitulis olehAnurag BasuSkenarioAnurag BasuCeritaAnurag BasuTani BasuPemeranRanbir KapoorPriyanka ChopraIleana D'CruzSaurabh ShuklaAshish VidyarthiRoopa GangulyNaratorIleana D'CruzPenata musikPritamSinematograferRavi VarmanPenyuntingAkiv AliPerusahaanproduksiIshana MoviesDistributorUTV Motion PicturesTanggal rilis 14 September 2012 (2012-09-14) Durasi150 menit[1]NegaraIndiaB...

 

العلاقات الغينية الكورية الجنوبية

العلاقات الغينية الكورية الجنوبية غينيا كوريا الجنوبية   غينيا   كوريا الجنوبية تعديل مصدري - تعديل   العلاقات الغينية الكورية الجنوبية هي العلاقات الثنائية التي تجمع بين غينيا وكوريا الجنوبية.[1][2][3][4][5] مقارنة بين البلدين هذه مقارنة عامة...

 

Bahram V

Ruler of the Sasanian Empire from 420 to 438 Bahram V𐭥𐭫𐭧𐭫𐭠𐭭King of Kings of Iran and non-Iran[a]5th-century plate with a hunting scene from the tale of Bahram V and Azadeh.Shahanshah of the Sasanian EmpireReign420–438PredecessorKhosrowSuccessorYazdegerd IIBorn400Died438 (aged 38)ConsortSapinudIssueYazdegerd IIHouseHouse of SasanFatherYazdegerd IMotherShushandukhtReligionZoroastrianism Bahram V (also spelled Wahram V or Warahran V; Middle Persian: 𐭥𐭫𐭧𐭫�...

Protests of 1968

Worldwide escalation of social conflicts Protests of 1968Part of the Counterculture of the 1960s and the Cold WarDemonstrations against the Vietnam War in Amsterdam, 1968Date5 January 1968 – 29 March 1969(1 year, 2 months, 3 weeks and 3 days)LocationWorldwideCaused by Vietnam War Racism Revisionism Authoritarianism Sexism Death of Che Guevara Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Goals Anti-authoritarianism Anti-capitalism Anti-racism Civil and political rights Environ...

 

Marco Vaccari

Italian sprinter Marco VaccariPersonal informationNational teamItalyBorn17 July 1966 (1966-07-17) (age 57)Milan, ItalyHeight1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)Weight69 kg (152 lb)SportSportAthleticsEvent400 metresClubG.S. Fiamme AzzurreAchievements and titlesPersonal best 400 m: 45.47 (1992) Medal record Event 1st 2nd 3rd World Indoor Championships 0 0 1 Mediterranean Games 1 1 0 European Cup 0 1 2 Military World Games 0 0 1 Total 1 2 4 World Indoor Championships 1991 S...

 

ميثودية

ميثودية المؤسس جون ويزلي  تعديل مصدري - تعديل   جزء من سلسلة مقالات حولالبروتستانتية المفاهيم إصلاح بروتستانتي الصحوة الكبرى التاريخ الثقافة الديموغرافيا معاداة البروتستانتية الفرق الرئيسية سبتيون تجديدية العماد أنجليكية الكنيسة المعمدانية كالفينية لوثرية ميثود�...

Indiana–Michigan State football rivalry

American college football rivalry The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's general notability guideline. Please help to demonstrate the notability of the topic by citing reliable secondary sources that are independent of the topic and provide significant coverage of it beyond a mere trivial mention. If notability cannot be shown, the article is likely to be merged, redirected, or deleted.Find sources: Indiana–Michigan State football rivalry – news · newspape...

 

Moro Islamic Liberation Front

Group in Mindanao, Philippines, seeking Moro autonomy For other uses, see MILF (disambiguation). This article may contain citations that do not verify the text. Please check for citation inaccuracies. (August 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)جبهة تحرير مورو الإسلامية‎Also known asBangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF)LeaderAl-Hadj Murad Ibrahim, Sheikh Hashim Salamat (former)Foundation1977Dates of operation1977&#...

 

Opalescent River

River tributary in New York, United States Opalescent RiverPainting of a flume in the Opalescent River by Alexander H. WyantLocationCountryUnited StatesStateNew YorkRegionAdirondacksCountyEssexPhysical characteristicsSourceLittle Marcy Mountain • locationAdirondack Mountains, New York, United States • elevation4,200 ft (1,300 m) Mouth  • coordinates44°01′05″N 74°03′10″W / 44.0181°N 74.0528°W...

The Nook (Spring Garden Township, Pennsylvania)

Historic house in Pennsylvania, United States For the Isle of Man TT course area, see Bedstead Corner and The Nook, Isle of Man. United States historic placeThe NookU.S. National Register of Historic Places Show map of PennsylvaniaShow map of the United StatesLocation1101 Farquhar Drive, south of York, Spring Garden Township, PennsylvaniaCoordinates39°56′44″N 76°43′27″W / 39.94556°N 76.72417°W / 39.94556; -76.72417Area2.3 acres (0.93 ha)Built1893-1898B...

 

Japan–Liechtenstein relations

Bilateral relationsJapanese-Liechtensteiner relations Japan Liechtenstein EnvoyAmbassador Botschafter Fujiyama[1]Ambassador Andreas Baum[2]Foreign relations exist between Japan and Liechtenstein. Both countries established diplomatic relations in June 1996.[3] Since then, the relations between the two countries have been stable. Japan does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but there is a honorary consulate located in Schaan. The Japanese ambassador to Switzerland, ...

 

Oriundi d'Italia

«L'uomo ch'è venuto da lontanoha la genialità di uno Schiaffinoma religiosamente tocca il panee guarda le sue stelle uruguaiane.Ah Sudamerica...» (Paolo Conte, Sud America) La comunità italiana durante la festa nazionale dell'immigrante, evento che si celebra nella città di Oberá in Argentina nei primi 15 giorni di settembre, a cui partecipano tutte le comunità argentine che sono discendenti di immigrati Gli oriundi d'Italia sono i discendenti degli emigrati italiani che nel corso de...

باريس تورز 1908

باريس تورز 1908 تفاصيل السباقسلسلة5. باريس تورزالتاريخ1908البلد فرنساالمنصةالفائز Omer Beaugendre [الإنجليزية]‏الثاني الثالث فرانسوا فابر (Peugeot-Wolber  [لغات أخرى]‏) ▶19071909◀ توثيق باريس تورز 1908 هو سباق دراجات هوائية، وهو الموسم رقم 5 من باريس تورز، وأقيم في 1908.[1] فا...

 

SD Negeri Mekar Jaya 13

SD Negeri Mekar Jaya 13InformasiDidirikan01 Januari 1979JenisNegeriAkreditasiANomor Statistik Sekolah101026606013Nomor Pokok Sekolah Nasional20228799Kepala SekolahKoko Komala S.PdRentang kelasI, II, III, IV, V, VIKurikulumKurikulum 2013StatusSekolah Standar NasionalAlamatLokasiJalan Merapi №35, Abadijaya, Kec. Sukmajaya, Depok, Jawa Barat, IndonesiaTel./Faks.(021) 7716568Situs webSitus [email protected] SD Negeri Mekar Jaya 13 adalah sebuah sekolah dasar ne...

 

Tiantai

Kuil Guoqing di Pegunungan Tiantai, awalnya dibangun pada 598 Masehi pada masa dinasti Sui dan direnovasi pada masa pemerintahan Kaisar Yongzheng dari dinasti Qing (memerintah 1722–1735 Masehi). Bagian dari seri mengenaiBuddhisme TionghoaHan / 汉传佛教 / 漢傳佛教Chinese: Buddha Sejarah Gandhara Kekaisaran Kushan Dharmaguptaka Transmisi Jalur Sutra Tokoh utama Kumārajīva Xuanzang Huiyuan Zhiyi Bodhidharma Huineng Taixu Hsu Yun Hsuan Hua Nan Huai-Chin Tradisi Chan Tiantai Huayan Tan...

English Chess Federation

AbbreviationECFPredecessorBritish Chess FederationEstablished2005; 19 years ago (2005)PurposeSport administrationLocationBattle, East SussexRegion served EnglandLeaderMike TruranMain organChess MovesAffiliationsFIDE, European Chess UnionWebsitewww.englishchess.org.uk The English Chess Federation (ECF) is the governing chess organisation in England. It is affiliated to FIDE. The ECF was formed in 2004 as one of the more localised successors to the British Chess Federation (BC...

 

Micaela Cocks

Questa voce sull'argomento cestisti neozelandesi è solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Micaela CocksNazionalità Nuova Zelanda Altezza174 cm Peso69 kg Pallacanestro RuoloGuardia Squadra Free agent CarrieraGiovanili 2006-2010 Oregon Ducks Squadre di club 2010-2011 COB Calais2011-2018 Townsville Fire2019-2021Townsville Flames2021-2022 Townsville Fire2022Northern Kahu202...