The Song of Arms and a Man
The Latin Qvarter’s thrilling performance of Virgil’s Aeneid has now visited Gloucester, Bristol, Oxford, Charterhouse, Cambridge, Kings College London and most recently University College London, where George Sharpley’s adaptation of this classic poem was read by Ben Cartlidge, Matthew Hargreaves, Emma Kirkby and Maria Roddis, and included music by the aulos specialist, Callum Armstrong (pictured below).
The Song of Arms and a Man presents Aeneas’ struggle to fulfil his destiny as founder of Rome – from his escape from the burning ruins of Troy to his asylum and heart-breaking affair with the Carthaginian queen Dido and his reluctant war with the inhabitants of his fated homeland of Italy.
Selections of Virgil’s epic verse are read in the original Latin interspersed with an English narration which tells the whole story of the poem. With English surtitles, all comers have a unique opportunity to enjoy the magic of these Latin voices. The Latin Qvarter’s innovative and acclaimed presentation of a rarely heard masterpiece echoes the ancient culture of public performance of poetry.
The aural culture of ancient poems
An enthralling and unique dramatization. The Virgil Society Newsletter 2023
It was phenomenal. Lots of our students were in the audience – thank you for inspiring them. I was spellbound and the two hours went by very quickly. Guildford High School – Twitter
It was a brilliant dramatisation – warm, witty, bloody and cruel – and a sensational performance. Prof Tim Whitmarsh, Cambridge
It was wonderful to hear so much of the Aeneid performed this evening and to romp through the story from start to finish. The cast of The Song of Arms and a Man did a brilliant job bringing the text to life. Andrew Christie (Twitter)
What a superb evening it was! Spellbindingly good. Nic Aubury (Twitter)
The editing and pacing of the abridgement was masterly, and the interleaving of narration and recitation worked really well. Prof Philip Hardie, Cambridge
Its appeal to a wide audience is not difficult to imagine, even if one does not have any Latin; it is, in short, a rollicking tale. Linda Martinez
A magnificent performance – and the programme was superb. Conrad Donaldson
The Song of Arms and a Man is an enthralling and exciting performance; and what a treat to hear the nuances and power of Virgil’s original Latin … For anyone interested in the Aeneid, it is an absolute must-see! Andy Keen, Head of Classics, Bristol Grammar School
Wow, what a fantastic way to spend a Saturday evening! Thank you to the Guildford Classical Association and the Latin Qvarter for putting on such a powerful performance of the Aeneid. A most memorable experience for our classics department and pupils! Surbiton High School
Your Virgil production was one of the highlights of my last three years in Bristol; I can still hear Llewelyn’s voice speaking the words so beautifully. You have done as much as anyone to bring the beauty of classical languages to a wider public, and all of us who study them are in your debt. Prof Patrick Finglass, Bristol
The performance was outstanding! Royal Grammar School, Guildford
How exciting to hear a real aulos player! The English narrative beautifully echoed the original Latin and set the scene for the Latin extracts. It was entrancing seeing such well-known passages brought to life – acted out and performed in impressively fluent and expressive spoken Latin. Guildford Classical Association
A short review from a Year 12 student at Northwood College for Girls
George Sharpley, creator of The Song of Arms and a Man:
“All sorts of people in the ancient world enjoyed these poems. By no means were they limited to the educated elite. Whether you were able to read or not, you would hear these poems read aloud. And what a treat! Poetry continued to be recited―and to some extent performed―long after it was first written down. However ‘literary’ Virgil, Ovid and others have become between their time and ours, the magic of their voices is for me the most thrilling dynamic to come out of their world.
“Virgil’s Aeneid is truly extraordinary, and now almost entirely silent. That simply had to change. I had felt this for a long time, and once I found people with the talent and heart to join this journey, we were off. The Song of Arms and a Man has had seven outings to date, starting at Gloucester, then Bristol, Oxford, Charterhouse, Cambridge, King’s College London, and University College London. At each venue we have had a very positive reception, from both the academic world and from people new to Latin or with little knowledge of the ancient world. It is a joy to see how Virgil has already found many new friends.”
Matthew Hargreaves reads from Aeneas’ visit to the underworld.
Hear Matthew now
Pictures: Emma Kirkby and Llewelyn Morgan performing The Song of Arms and a Man (photo: Bryan Conway); Callum Armstrong playing his aulos