Forum Activity for @aldo-stern

Bronze 6-pounder field piece

Marketplace Archive ** CLOSED **

As a part of our ongoing efforts to provide authentic historical artifacts that are lacking from other sources, the Workshops of Melioria are pleased to offer a late 18th century six-pounder fieldgun, with a polished bronze barrel and a split-tail carriage painted in a color scheme that research indicates may have been used by the Royal Spanish army (among others) in the late 1700s to early 1800s.

The gun is copy/mod (no transfer) and is 39 prims, but if you need to, you can strip off all the detailing and get it down to about 14, bare minimum. It shows influences of the Gribeauval system, so if you want to use it for earlier scenarios such as the Seven-Year's War, War of the Austrian Succession, War of the Spanish Succession, Queen Anne's War, the First, Second or Third Silesian War, the Jacobite Uprising, The Great Northern War, or any 18th century conflict involving Russia, Persia and/or the Ottoman Empire, just pull out the elevating screw and replace it with a quoin.

As it is mod, you could also switch to another color scheme to represent a different nationality, such as a medium blue carriage and wheels to indicate British or Prussian usage.

The gun is 425 linden and may be purchased on the SL marketplacehere:

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Bronze-6-pounder-cannon-1780s/3766374

updated by @aldo-stern: 06 Oct 2016 01:58:51PM

Two Performances of "An Evening with Beaumarchais" in Melioria, on July 22

Communty News & Events

Two Performances on Sunday, July 22nd, on the Great Lawn

We invite you to join us for the first performances of "An Evening with Beaumarchais" Inspired by "The Marriage of Figaro" by Pierre de Beaumarchais, adapted by B.J. Swords.

Utilizing streamed dialogue recorded by colleagues of Ms. Swords, technological assistance provided by the Comte de Vaudreuil, and movement actors recruited among the friends and residents of il Principato di Melioria, we will present scenes from the play, "The Marriage of Figaro," which French authorities considered a radical condemnation of the social order of the time and later provided the basis for the opera by Mozart.

This has very much been a collective effort: The concept for this event was developed by our friend, the Comte de Vaudreuil, who also worked out the system for streaming recorded dialogue into the theater area. The adaptation of the play was written by B.J. Swords (Bajoy Resident in SL) who then worked with fellow actors in her home country of Australia to performer and record the dialogue. The stage and sets were built and furnished by Aria Vyper and Sere Timeless, Costumes are being created with the generous help of Trasgo Beaumont, Mau Delarosa and Joan Fairweather. Our troupe includes The Comte de Vaudreuil, Mercury Gandt, Aphrodite Macbain, The Comtesse de Chiverney (Wulfride Blitzen), Sere Timeless and Aldo Stern. The play is being directed by Ms. Swords, with The Comte de Vaudreuil as co-Director and technical/sound guru.

Premiere at 10:00 AM SLT

The first performance will commence at 10:00 AM SLT in a temporary theater set up on the Great Lawn of the Villa Vesuviana in Melioria.

Second Performance at 3:00 PM SLT

Seating will be limited, so a repeat performance will take place in the same location at 3:00 PM SLT.

Guests are asked to minimize attachments and scripted bits that may contribute to lag.

updated by @aldo-stern: 06 Oct 2016 06:13:32AM

Two Performances of "An Evening with Beaumarchais" in Melioria, on July 22

Communty News & Events

Two Performances on Sunday, July 22nd, on the Great Lawn

We invite you to join us for the first performances of "An Evening with Beaumarchais" Inspired by "The Marriage of Figaro" by Pierre de Beaumarchais, adapted by B.J. Swords.

Utilizing streamed dialogue recorded by colleagues of Ms. Swords, technological assistance provided by the Comte de Vaudreuil, and movement actors recruited among the friends and residents of il Principato di Melioria, we will present scenes from the play, "The Marriage of Figaro," which French authorities considered a radical condemnation of the social order of the time and later provided the basis for the opera by Mozart.

This has very much been a collective effort: The concept for this event was developed by our friend, the Comte de Vaudreuil, who also worked out the system for streaming recorded dialogue into the theater area. The adaptation of the play was written by B.J. Swords (Bajoy Resident in SL) who then worked with fellow actors in her home country of Australia to performer and record the dialogue. The stage and sets were built and furnished by Aria Vyper and Sere Timeless, Costumes are being created with the generous help of Trasgo Beaumont, Mau Delarosa and Joan Fairweather. Our troupe includes The Comte de Vaudreuil, Mercury Gandt, Aphrodite Macbain, The Comtesse de Chiverney (Wulfride Blitzen), Sere Timeless and Aldo Stern. The play is being directed by Ms. Swords, with The Comte de Vaudreuil as co-Director and technical/sound guru.

Premiere at 10:00 AM SLT

The first performance will commence at 10:00 AM SLT in a temporary theater set up on the Great Lawn of the Villa Vesuviana in Melioria.

Second Performance at 3:00 PM SLT

Seating will be limited, so a repeat performance will take place in the same location at 3:00 PM SLT.

Guests are asked to minimize attachments and scripted bits that may contribute to lag.

updated by @aldo-stern: 06 Oct 2016 06:13:32AM

Period Movies

General Discussion

very nice suggestion, Myron. The thing comes across most clearly from your quotes is the idea that these who people who loved language: they played with it, they had fun it, they treated speaking and writing as an art. For example you quote the lines:

"Kisses are like confidences: they attract each other, they accelerate each other, they excite each other. In fact, I had barely received the first kiss when a second followed upon its heels, and then another: their pace quickened, interrupting and then replacing the conversation.Soon they scarcely left us time to sigh. "

That is such a wonderful way of saying "We started kissing and couldn't stop. OMG, we kissed a lot."

It seems to me that what you are saying Myron, is that in addition to trying to recreate some of the details and structure of 18th century life, we should try to pay as much attention to what we say and how we say it. if we are going to emulate the best aspects of 18th century life, we should have fun with our language, to play with it, and paint pictures with it.

Another example I really enjoy, even though it is a 19th century translation, is the memoirs of the Marquise de Montespan (though a little earlier being memoirs of the time of the court of Louis XIV, they are still great fun to read). In this passage, Madame de Montepsan describes the circumstances around her arranged marriage in a way that is both utterly charming and hilarious:

"My mother occasionally took me out into society after the marriage of my sister....and I was not slow to perceive that there was in my person something slightly superior to the average intelligence,--certain qualities of distinction which drew upon me the attention and the sympathy of men of taste. Had any liberty been granted to it, my heart would have made a choice worthy alike of my family and of myself. They were eager to impose the Marquis de Montespan upon me as a husband; and albeit he was far from possessing those mental perfections and that cultured charm which alone make an indefinite period of companionship endurable, I was not slow to reconcile myself to a temperament which, fortunately, was very variable, and which thus served to console me on the morrow for what had troubled me to-day. Hardly had my marriage been arranged and celebrated than a score of the most brilliant suitors expressed, in prose and in verse, their regret at having lost beyond recall Mademoiselle de Tonnai-Charente. Such elegiac effusions seemed to me unspeakably ridiculous; they should have explained matters earlier, while the lists were still open. For persons of this sort I conceived aversion, who were actually so clumsy as to dare to tell me that they had forgotten to ask my hand in marriage!"

This is substantially much more fun to read than simply "I was married off to an unpredictable but acceptable dolt. You other dolts who were disappointed that I married this dolt should have said something sooner."

Her memoirs in English may be found here:

http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=3847

Period Movies

General Discussion

Hey, Myron! Yes, that scene is really wonderful in its own twisted, anachronistic way. Tommy Dorsey's orchestra is one of my favorite Big Band era groups (I actually prefer them to Glenn Miller)...

And yes, this film certainly is not at all useful in terms of understanding 18th century history. But, as a film made in 1943 in the middle of WWII, it is a remarkable artifact of mid-20th century American culture. In effect, we can look at it as an extreme example of how any "historical film" is really most valuable for what it says about the time in which it was made, rather than the time period it seeks to recreate. It is interesting when you think about a silly, escapist film like "Du Barry was a Lady" being made in the U.S. in the same year that another silly, escapist film, "Munchhausen" was made in Germany ( and which may be viewed at

). I think it says something universal about the nature of what people need to get through dark and challenging times, regardless of their nationality. And that "something" is, more often than not, humor.

At the same time, I think you are entirely correct that we can find certain things in certain movies that can inform and -- more importantly -- inspire us in our attempts to explore and appreciate aspects of 18th century life and society. I also agree with you 100% that we have to look at a range of sources: yes, the combat scenes in "Barry Lyndon" are highly detailed and generally accurate representations of middle 18th century warfare (probably the best you can find on film). But you you will understand even more if you also look at period paintings and read books and personal accounts of military life and warfare in that period. I know that Dio Kuhr, who some of you will recall plays a character who is the widow of an officer in the Bayreuth Dragoons, drew a good bit of her rp detail and language from an 1827 translation of the memoirs of the Baroness von Riedesel ( http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/view/2581667?n=2&s=4&printTh... ) Similarly when we were doing rp in Deadwood 1876, we read a lot of Mark Twain and period newspaper articles, simply to pick up the style of the language.

So that leads us to the next point-- in order to provide some real help to the original poster, are there certain books and plays that can help with guidance on language and manners, and some specific individual movie scenes that can be recommended for particular details on certain aspects of 18th century life, and provide inspiration for good engaging rp?

If I may offer a few suggestions myself, one of the scenes that I always draw inspiration from is the gambling scene with the faro game (and the subsequent duel) from "Barry Lyndon."

As for books that would provide some insight into court life, I would suggest something like the memoirs of Madame Jeanne Campan:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3891/3891-h/3891-h.htm

But for language, especially when one is looking for it in translation to English (but not adapted too much to modern English) what might you other knowledgeable folk suggest?

Period Movies

General Discussion

This is probably the best part (using "best" as a relative term).

Classic 40s buffoonery with typical war-time home-front references such as "I'm against hoarding"

Period Movies

General Discussion

wonderful image, Joan.

Two things strike me:

1. How drop dead gorgeous Lucille Ball was in her younger days.

2. What an interesting decision it was having Red Skelton play Louis XV.

Period Movies

General Discussion

very nice suggestion, Myron. The thing comes across most clearly from your quotes is the idea that these who people who loved language: they played with it, they had fun it, they treated speaking and writing as an art. For example you quote the lines:

"Kisses are like confidences: they attract each other, they accelerate each other, they excite each other. In fact, I had barely received the first kiss when a second followed upon its heels, and then another: their pace quickened, interrupting and then replacing the conversation.Soon they scarcely left us time to sigh. "

That is such a wonderful way of saying "We started kissing and couldn't stop. OMG, we kissed a lot."

It seems to me that what you are saying Myron, is that in addition to trying to recreate some of the details and structure of 18th century life, we should try to pay as much attention to what we say and how we say it. if we are going to emulate the best aspects of 18th century life, we should have fun with our language, to play with it, and paint pictures with it.

Another example I really enjoy, even though it is a 19th century translation, is the memoirs of the Marquise de Montespan (though a little earlier being memoirs of the time of the court of Louis XIV, they are still great fun to read). In this passage, Madame de Montepsan describes the circumstances around her arranged marriage in a way that is both utterly charming and hilarious:

"My mother occasionally took me out into society after the marriage of my sister....and I was not slow to perceive that there was in my person something slightly superior to the average intelligence,--certain qualities of distinction which drew upon me the attention and the sympathy of men of taste. Had any liberty been granted to it, my heart would have made a choice worthy alike of my family and of myself. They were eager to impose the Marquis de Montespan upon me as a husband; and albeit he was far from possessing those mental perfections and that cultured charm which alone make an indefinite period of companionship endurable, I was not slow to reconcile myself to a temperament which, fortunately, was very variable, and which thus served to console me on the morrow for what had troubled me to-day. Hardly had my marriage been arranged and celebrated than a score of the most brilliant suitors expressed, in prose and in verse, their regret at having lost beyond recall Mademoiselle de Tonnai-Charente. Such elegiac effusions seemed to me unspeakably ridiculous; they should have explained matters earlier, while the lists were still open. For persons of this sort I conceived aversion, who were actually so clumsy as to dare to tell me that they had forgotten to ask my hand in marriage!"

This is substantially much more fun to read than simply "I was married off to an unpredictable but acceptable dolt. You other dolts who were disappointed that I married this dolt should have said something sooner."

Her memoirs in English may be found here:

http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/gutbook/lookup?num=3847

Period Movies

General Discussion

I would agree about "Ridicule," which although it is in affect a illustrative parable set in the court of Louis XVI, it is an historically plausible parable. It is described on Cliomuse.com (the excellent "history in the movies" review website) as follows

Although 'Ridicule' is set in the Versailles court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the King plays only a small role in the movie, and Marie Antoinette is glimpsed only at a distance. Yet this brilliant film exposes the pretensions and hypocrisy of the monarchy and the French aristocracy more succinctly, subtly and effectively than either the 1938 'Marie Antoinette' or Sofia Coppola's more recent version. The film is historical drama at its best, combining historical accuracy and insight with a compelling love story and intriguing characters.

The film's clever plot focuses on Ponceludon, a minor aristocrat from the provinces, who is a resourceful scientist hoping to drain the region's mosquito-infested swamps in order tro ensure better health for the local peasants. This humanitarian project requires money which can only be obtained from King Louis XVI. But Ponceludon's decency and provincialism do not suit him for the intrigues of court, so he is tutored by a physician, Bellegarde, another minor noble (who has a beautiful, intelligent, scientifically-minded daughter) in the arts of ridicule and reparte needed to gain attention at Versailles. In order to get the King's endorsement of his swamp-draining project, Ponceludon is forced to engage in the vicious rivalries - sexual, political and financial - that contaminates the court.

Ridicule succeeds on many levels. It is witty and at times blackly humorous. The main characters are distinctive, interesting and unpredictable, and the two female leads are both presented as forceful and intelligent women. The portrayal of the King as an essentially decent wanting to do well by his subjects but unable to overcome the social conventions of his own court seems to be historically accurate. The fatal moral decay of that court is cleverly conveyed not by lingering on details of the extravagant lifestyle but by showing through speech and deed its lack of empathy and generosity. And the ending is a real cliffhanger.

There are also some very interesting additional articles on this page, including pieces about Louis XVI and his interest in science, and women in the Englightenment, and some clips (in French, no subtitles) which may be found at

http://www.cliomuse.com/ridicule.html

Period Movies

General Discussion

Hey, Myron! Yes, that scene is really wonderful in its own twisted, anachronistic way. Tommy Dorsey's orchestra is one of my favorite Big Band era groups (I actually prefer them to Glenn Miller)...

And yes, this film certainly is not at all useful in terms of understanding 18th century history. But, as a film made in 1943 in the middle of WWII, it is a remarkable artifact of mid-20th century American culture. In effect, we can look at it as an extreme example of how any "historical film" is really most valuable for what it says about the time in which it was made, rather than the time period it seeks to recreate. It is interesting when you think about a silly, escapist film like "Du Barry was a Lady" being made in the U.S. in the same year that another silly, escapist film, "Munchhausen" was made in Germany ( and which may be viewed at

). I think it says something universal about the nature of what people need to get through dark and challenging times, regardless of their nationality. And that "something" is, more often than not, humor.

At the same time, I think you are entirely correct that we can find certain things in certain movies that can inform and -- more importantly -- inspire us in our attempts to explore and appreciate aspects of 18th century life and society. I also agree with you 100% that we have to look at a range of sources: yes, the combat scenes in "Barry Lyndon" are highly detailed and generally accurate representations of middle 18th century warfare (probably the best you can find on film). But you you will understand even more if you also look at period paintings and read books and personal accounts of military life and warfare in that period. I know that Dio Kuhr, who some of you will recall plays a character who is the widow of an officer in the Bayreuth Dragoons, drew a good bit of her rp detail and language from an 1827 translation of the memoirs of the Baroness von Riedesel ( http://pds.lib.harvard.edu/pds/view/2581667?n=2&s=4&printTh... ) Similarly when we were doing rp in Deadwood 1876, we read a lot of Mark Twain and period newspaper articles, simply to pick up the style of the language.

So that leads us to the next point-- in order to provide some real help to the original poster, are there certain books and plays that can help with guidance on language and manners, and some specific individual movie scenes that can be recommended for particular details on certain aspects of 18th century life, and provide inspiration for good engaging rp?

If I may offer a few suggestions myself, one of the scenes that I always draw inspiration from is the gambling scene with the faro game (and the subsequent duel) from "Barry Lyndon."

As for books that would provide some insight into court life, I would suggest something like the memoirs of Madame Jeanne Campan:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3891/3891-h/3891-h.htm

But for language, especially when one is looking for it in translation to English (but not adapted too much to modern English) what might you other knowledgeable folk suggest?