Concerto in Dead Flat by Ridley Pearson

Author:Ridley Pearson [Pearson, Ridley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-7953-4650-7
Publisher: RosettaBooks
Published: 1990-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

The Sheldonian was built by Wren on order from Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was so shocked by the licentious nature of the university’s degree ceremonies that he decided to move them out of St. Mary’s Church into a theatre. What they wanted was to build a structure in the manner of the classical amphitheater which of course had no ceilings. So how was Wren to use standard timbers to roof a theatre of classical shape and size? It had never been done. His solution was to essay the semicircle, the ceiling eventually turning out to be 70 X 80 feet, and using a fore-shortened painting to heighten the effect. The interior has boxes and pulpits and galleries in Wrenish carpentry, all adapted for the curious ceremonies of the university where degrees are given, Latin compliments bandied, and prize poems read. It is also used as a recital hall, a lecture hall, and houses musical events. The seating is not especially comfortable and temperature control is a nightmare, it being like a furnace inside in high summer and very cold due to the stone in winter. It is very British to put up with discomfort for the sake of grandeur and tradition.

Our seats were second from the top, up where the birds fly, up where, along with your program, they also give you a bottle of oxygen. On the way up to our seats, every male head within twenty yards turned to catch a glimpse of Nicole, and there I was with this object of desire clinging to my arm seeking balance. I had no right to gloat the way I did.

The program was a poor photocopy on cheap yellow paper folded in half. It reminded me of church. It listed the players and the pieces and thanked a bunch of people in a typeface that didn’t copy well. We had arrived a few minutes early, following our taste of champagne. I was keeping an eye out for Allison Star, whom I had been wise enough to mention and to describe in detail to Nicole beforehand. I was entertained by the ornate surroundings. Slowly the room filled up.

A hand-painted sign informed the careful observer of an observation deck in the building’s cupola, accessed via a stairway through the west door. It cost you fifty pence and, I assumed, a fair amount of stair climbing. Daytime hours only.

“That her?” Nicole asked, nudging me. It was her third such try. She had turned the surveillance into a game.

“No,” I said regrettably, “but you’re right on the money with that one. Hair just a little longer, face just a little more classic.”

“She must be a beauty,” she said. This, for the sixth time.

“She’s okay,” I returned quickly. Ever cautious. Trying to sound uninterested.

I was on tentative ground with Nicole. I had learned once before that intimacy and emotional alignment were no guarantees of the steadfastness of our acquaintance. She had left me once before, left me cold and alone in front

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.