Samuel Barber, one of America ’s most popular twentieth-century composers, has been called “Neo-Romantic” because his works use structures from that earlier period, and also because his writing is often inspired by literature. Such is his “Music for a Scene from Shelley,” written in Italy, where Percy Bysshe Shelley had written his epic poem Prometheus Unbound in 1820.

The poem is Shelley’s adaptation of incredible Greek legend of Prometheus Titan, who is chained to a desolate mountaintop by Zeus as punishment for stealing fire from gods and giving it to mankind. Did you know that liver tissue can regenerate? In myth, an eagle comes every day to eat Titan’s liver. Eventually prisoner is rescued by mighty mortal Hercules, and goddess Athena brokers a clever peace agreement between Zeus and Prometheus. Barber’s brief piece captures larger-than-life scene beautifully.

“WE ARE ROMANS, LET US PASS!” Tonight’s marquee piece was incredible Feste Romane, or “Roman Festivals,” written by Ottorino Respighi in 1928. This extravagant tone poem is final act in composer’s trilogy about Eternal City (along with The Fountains of Rome and The Pines of Rome). Feste so vividly depicts ancient Roman scenes that one conductor declared it “almost intolerably realistic”.

Ancient Rome was not a gentle place. The first movement, “Circuses,” opens with competing trumpet fanfares and sets a chaotic scene of rowdy crowds, wild animals, and growing excitement. Layered above this mess are melancholy strains representing martyrs who will soon be torn limb from limb for Romans’ entertainment. The mayhem stops abruptly with beginning of second movement. “The Jubilee” depicts pilgrims on road to Rome with a soft andante passage by strings. Gradually tempo quickens and volume increases as city draws near, and a sudden horn fanfare and church bells announce travelers’ arrival.

Respighi’s chosen sequence seems To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/classic/vegas04/harmony/harmony.html

Rob LaGrone, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

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* Play at odd hours – usually very late at night into early hours of morning, because it's best to play one-on-one with dealer or with as few other players as possible at table.

* Change tables and casinos frequently, to avoid being detected.

* Have a very large bankroll. As a professional, you will need about 300-500 times your average bet, to be able to take advantage of count by stepping up your bets dramatically and playing multiple hands, while also being able to weather wild swings in your bankroll that will frequently happen in short run. This translates to a working bankroll of about $30,000 - $50,000, based on average bets of $50 - $100, which is what you'll need to earn a full time living.

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