| Truth; Truth: A Grove Play | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:1923_and_1926_Truth_plays_by_George_Sterling.jpg) 1923 and 1926 versions of Truth by George Sterling | |
| Written by | George Sterling |
| Music by | Domenico Brescia |
| Lyrics by | George Sterling |
| Characters | Perroh, a sentry; Egon, a poet; Dendra, a shepherd’s daughter; Eor and Enelus, captains of the guard; Truth; Uliun the Dreamer; Akar, Uliun’s wife; Vursol, Akora, and Krood, soldiers; King Ducorial; court singer; High Priest Arkonion; Horeth and Heral, pagan priests; Executioner |
| Date premiered | July 31, 1926 |
| Place premiered | Bohemian Grove, Monte Rio, California |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | fantasy |
| Setting | In and nearby the medieval walled city of Vae |
Truth and Truth: A Grove Play are two versions of a verse drama written in blank verse by American poet and playwright George Sterling. Both versions tell a fantasy story set in and near the imaginary medieval walled city of Vae. The first version (written in 1921 and 1922, published 1923) was meant to be read for pleasure. The second version was written in 1925 and early 1926 to be performed. It was published and staged in 1926 with symphonic music composed and conducted by Domenico Brescia. 1926 reviewers praised both Sterling's play and Brescia's musical score. A half-century later, musical scholars said Brescia's Truth music “represents the high plateau of classical form, structure, and orchestration ... previewing what would become standard film score techniques about a decade later.” A literary historian ranked Truth as “one of Sterling's finest works.”[1]
- ^ Quotation about Brescia's music: Richard P. Buck and Forrest J. Baird, “Domenico Brescia: Bohemian from Bologna,” Bohemian Club Library Notes n. 47 (Summer 1985), pp. 15-16. Quotation about Sterling's play: Benediktsson, Thomas E. (1980). George Sterling. Boston: Twayne. p. 149..