Page 8A-Star-Tribune, Chatham, Virginia, Wed., March 10, 2021 STAR-TRIBUNE Social

Book Review: Charlotte Brontë: A Fiery DSO to perform ‘Peter Heart by Claire Harman and the Wolf’ Saturday Reviewed by BILL LEFTWICH Charlotte attempted teaching and A 20-piece ensemble of the Danville Symphony governessing without success. Orchestra will perform the timeless classic Peter and the When Charlotte Brontë wrote Desiring to improve her academic Wolf at two churches on Saturday afternoon, March 13. under the pseudonym credentials, Charlotte enrolled in a With the goals of uplifting and offering fun to “Currer Bell,” she wanted her novel private school in Brussels and devel- children and families who have been so isolated, the judged on its merits and not on her oped an unrequited passion for her sex. However, once her gender was married teacher, Constantin Heger. Symphony brings story characters to life through a 35 revealed, she was attacked by some An attempt to establish a boarding minute narration and musical performance. reviewers who labeled the work school in failed to attract Peter and the Wolf has been called “a symphonic fairy as “truly offensive,” “dangerous,” any pupils. tale for children.” It was written in 1936 by Russian “anti-Christian,” and the author as Using their writing for financial composer, Sergei Prokofiev, who was commissioned having “long forfeited the society of support, Charlotte and her sister’s by the director of the Moscow Children’s Theatre. He her sex.” After her untimely death, self - published a collection of chose as his subject the story of a boy and his animal Charlotte Brontë’s life story was poems, which sold only two copies. deliberately obscured by her first When the sisters tried their hands at friends attempting to capture a wolf. biographer, a friend and fellow nov- novels, Emily’s For 85 years the musical has introduced children to elist, Elizabeth Gaskell. Determined and Anne’s were accept- musical instruments and engaged adults in the lyrical to protect Charlotte’s posthumous ed for publication, but Charlotte’s melodies. Particular instruments portray the characters reputation, Gaskell successfully contribution was not. In 1847, she in the story. recast Charlotte as a “domestic mar- wrote Jane Eyre about a plain gov- The characters and Danville orchestra members tyr” made “perfect” by “her wild erness who falls in love with her who bring them to life are the bird (flute played by sad life.” The subsequent “Brontë employer. The novel was an imme- Leftwich Myth” has bedeviled Charlotte’s diate sensation, with Queen Victoria Katherine Walker), the duck (oboe played by Susan biographers for over a century. calling it an “intensely interesting Kundert), the cat (clarinet played by Eric Sah), the wolf Claire Harman’s straightforward novel.” and clear intelligence.” A con- (French horn played by Steve Bernstorf, Gene Beazlie biography rescues Charlotte from However, tragedy struck again in temporary recalled Charlotte as a and Frank Hussey), the grandfather (bassoon played by Gaskell’s cloying sainthood and 1848, when in the course of nine “fiery little eager brave” woman. When Charlotte’s passionate letters Phil Atkins), the hunters (timpani played by Desiree restores her passionate genius. months, Charlotte lost her broth- Shaffer), Peter (strings played by Colleen Chenail, er and both sisters to tuberculosis. to Heger were published in 1913, Born in 1816, the third of six chil- Abby Chism, Alice Freeman, Ulric Schweizer, Theresa dren, to Maria and Patrick Brontë, an To her pleasant surprise, Charlotte they shocked a public familiar with evangelical minister, she was raised found solace in marriage to her Gaskell’s portrayal of a “sexless” Fox, Margaret Petty, Adrian Cothren, and Austin in Haworth, , “a strange father’s curate, Arthur Bell Nichols, woman. Charlotte yearned for love Propst) and the narrator, Jacky Miller. uncivilized little place” in her own but miserably died nine months later in the heart rather than in the head. The concert is free and no tickets are needed. words. By the age of nine, Charlotte in 1855 due to pregnancy complica- This book is available at the Conductor Peter Perret and the Danville Symphony had lost her mother and two elder tions. Pittsylvania County Public Library, as is Juliet Barker’s family biog- invite the public to attend. sisters to disease. Socially isolated, Like her creation Jane Eyre, All distancing and safety measures will be observed Charlotte and her brother, Branwell, Charlotte hid a passionate nature raphy The Brontës, Lisa Olson for the performances. Children will receive a small and surviving sisters, Emily and behind a very unprepossessing Paddock’s reference The Brontës A Anne, formed a tight bond and appearance. Her publisher, George to Z, and the PBS documentary take-home gift as they exit. entertained themselves writing sto- Smith recalled Charlotte’s “very DVD To Walk Invisible: The Brontë Performances are March 13, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. at the ries, poems, and plays about two small... quaint old-fashioned look. Sisters. Jane Eyre is also available Tabernacle, 1978 South Boston Road, Danville; and imaginary kingdoms. Family hopes her face was marred by the shape in hardcopy and DVD. All of the March 13, 2021 at 4 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 1058 Brontë sister’s novels can be down- for the mercurial Branwell’s literary of the mouth, and by the com- Buckshoal Road, Virgilina, Virginia. and artistic success evaporated when plexion.” Her most distinguishing loaded as e-audiobooks. he descended into alcoholism and feature were striking grey eyes of Bill Leftwich is a Library Assistant addiction. “extraordinary brilliancy and pen- at the Chatham Branch Library. Little interested in marriage, etration,” which revealed a “quick

Submitted photo God’s Storehouse donation River City Fitness Center made a generous donation to God’s Storehouse on March 9, 2021. This donation comes from the gym’s most recent Friday Night Lights event. God’s Storehouse would like to extend their gratitude towards the support and generosity of River City Fitness Center. Pictured left to right: Karen Harris, Executive Director of God’s Storehouse, and Josh Francisco, owner of River City Fitness Center.

Submitted photo Pet of the Week Pittsylvania County’s pet of the week this week is Spade! He is a male terrier/Pit Bull/hound mix with adorable black spots. He just turned 3 in December.

Include your church These area churches invite you to rejoice, in next week’s celebrate and worship this week. Church Directory! Get the word out about your schedule of services and special Call the Star-Tribune event information. today! 434-432-2791