A Tender Thing by Emily Neuberger

Author:Emily Neuberger
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2020-04-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The advent of musical theater can be traced firmly back to opera.”

They were seated around a table in the department head’s house in New Haven. It was more intimate than Eleanor had expected—just the department head, his wife, a distinguished student who was to receive a scholarship, Don, and herself. When they’d arrived, Dr. and Mrs. Franklin had brought them into a sitting room filled with books and musical scores. Don surprised her by tugging her to join him on a love seat so their legs were pressed together. He had never initiated this sort of closeness before. She was introduced as the star of A Tender Thing, but she wondered whether anyone believed that was her only claim to the invitation. Eleanor was elated—other people’s suspicions about their relationship might not translate to any progress between them in private, but Don was behaving with real affection tonight. When it was time to sit down for dinner, Don had pulled out her chair and smiled in a way that flipped her stomach.

“Opera. Think of The Magic Flute,” Dr. Franklin said. “Mozart used unaccompanied dialogue.”

“An easy mistake to make,” Don said. “Many people believe musicals evolved from opera. Yet the earliest roots of musical theater are found in ancient Greece, and again in the Renaissance, with commedia dell’arte. It has always been its own form.”

He turned to Eleanor.

“Miss O’Hanlon is our newest star, but she’s also something of an aficionado. What do you think?”

Add to this discussion? She made eye contact with George, the student at the table. He looked at her through pulled-together brows, until she was conscious of her party dress and painted lips, and that she was the only person in the room without any sort of degree. If Rosie had been there, they would have poked fun at him as soon as the party was over. Eleanor and Rosie hadn’t spoken since the incident with Tommy. She wished Rosie were there now.

“Who have you studied under?” George asked, before she could speak.

She chose instead to address Dr. Franklin.

“The Black Crook seems to be one of the oldest direct ancestors, I believe. Eighteen sixties? That’s when the form began in earnest.”

“The Black Crook.” Don looked delighted. “I don’t hear that title enough.”

George frowned. “I haven’t heard of it.”

“It’s less a masterpiece than an ancestor,” Eleanor said, her words coming easier now. “But it started something marvelous.”

She could see that Don was still looking at her. She raised her glass for more champagne, then smiled across the table.

Dr. Franklin filled her glass, then raised his own. “It is truly an honor to have you here, Mr. Mannheim. I don’t believe anyone is pushing the bounds of popular music the way you are.”

“Copland has more in him yet.”

“Don’t be modest. You’re bringing real art to the masses. I never thought the sheep would stand for it, but here we are.” He raised his glass. “To Don Mannheim.” He looked at Eleanor. “And to his newest work.”

She caught Don’s eye when she raised her glass to him, and drank.

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