Mary Harrsch: December 2010

Monday, December 13, 2010

Random Act of Culture in Phiadelphia brings tears to my eyes

When I was a girl my favorite music that always surfaced at Christmas time was Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus". I loved it so much that when I was planning my wedding 42 years ago (Yes, it's been that long!), I planned to have the "Hallelujah Chorus" played when my husband and I turned to greet the crowd after we were pronounced man and wife.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearses in the Salt ...

Image by mharrsch via Flickr

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsing in
Salt Lake City, Utah.

Unfortunately, we were married in a church that considered the Handel classic secular music. So, I was told I could not have the music as part of my wedding ceremony. Twenty four years later my daughter was married and I asked her if we could have the "Hallelujah Chorus" played as the recessional music. So I finally got my wish although the CD player we used was a bit cantankerous and I had to signal my daughter to wait a moment while my son who was in charge of the AV equipment got it working!

Of course the most famous version of this classic is probably the one sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. When I visited Salt Lake City for a Historical Novel Society conference several years ago, I had the opportunity to sit in on a practice session of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (The Choir rehearses on Thursdays and visitors are invited to listen in). Although they did not sing the Hallelujah Chorus that day the choir was still a joy to listen to.

Today one of my friends sent me a link to a YouTube video of the Opera Company of Philadelphia singing the Hallelujah Chorus in a shopping mall in Philadelphia as part of the "Random Act of Culture" program. I must admit it brought tears to my eyes!

"Hallelujah Chorus" from Messiah (Voice)

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History really does come alive for me!

I appreciate history from all historical periods but I have always been especially interested in ancient Mediterranean cultures. Although I am fascinated by ancient Egypt, I became totally entranced by ancient Rome after reading the "Masters of Rome" series of novels by Colleen McCullough and in particular the life of Julius Caesar. McCullough's novels, "The First Man In Rome", "The Grass Crown", "Fortune's Favorites", "Caesar's Women", and "Caesar", made this complex personality come to life. He was not the cold and calculating tyrannical conqueror often depicted by various historians apparently with their own political axes to grind. He was a tender lover, a skilled orator and advocate, a talented poet and historian, a consumate politician, and a man with integrity as well as cunning and military genius.

Collecting Historical Dolls

Although I have collected period dolls casually for several years, I did not become a serious historical doll collector until I visited a website put up by another historical doll enthusiast who specialized in Cleopatra dolls. I was amazed at all of the different versions of the Queen of Egypt that had been produced over the years by various doll companies and individual artists. I resolved that day to focus my doll collection and use this hobby to help disseminate historical information in an interesting and enjoyable format. More >>

Collecting pictures of dead people I don't even know

I began collecting Cameo Creations in 1994 when I found two portraits at a local flea market. At the time I did not realize there was such a variety of subjects, frame styles and even objects including mirrors, wall shelves and candlesticks that featured the distinctive ornate style highlighted by portraits of women primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries. My son once told his friends that his mother was little strange because the house was full of pictures of dead people we didn't even know! I have purchased some for as little as $6 but they average $12 - $22 for the 7 1/2" size depending on where you find them and the type and condition of the frame, the glass, and the image. I eventually discovered that they are often auctioned up on Ebay and have obtained several in this way including the four portraits featured on this page. The majority, however, I have found at flea markets and in scattered antique shops. I have also found Ebay to be a valuable reference source. I have purchased some portraits that no longer bear the identifying sticker but by looking at others offered for sale on Ebay I have been able to identify mine.

Movieland Wax Museum brought back childhood memories

Being a very strict disciplinarian, my father only allowed us to have one formal outing a week and I usually chose the local theater that ran double features (now a thing of the past) on Friday and Saturday nights. At that time the film industry offered many historical pageants like Ben Hur, Spartacus, and El Cid which not only appealed to my love of history but ignited my passion for cinema, a passion that has not dimmed over the decades. Sadly, Movieland Wax Museum has closed. But, you can revisit it through my website along with different Madame Tussaud's and The San Francisco Wax Museum, too!

Mary Harrsch

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Monday, December 13, 2010

Random Act of Culture in Phiadelphia brings tears to my eyes

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