Details
PASTERNAK, Boris (1890-1960). Autograph letter signed ('B') to Boris and Evgenia Livanov, in purple ink, n.p., 5 April 1953, 2 pages, folio (adhesive stain in upper margin).
'You as Lear will create a storm'; Pasternak's appraisal of King Lear and a deep expression of friendship for the Livanovs.
Pasternak's translation of King Lear was published in 1949; he had turned from poetry to translating Shakespeare following his disillusionment with Communist ideals during the purges of the 1930s. Here he approves of Livanov's casting, 'with your brilliance and majestic eloquence and the fierce simplicity - You'll find it very easy to play that part... In Lear nobody but downright scoundrels and criminals speak about good, allegiance, interests of the state and loyalty to one's homeland. The only positive characters in the play are a wilful madman and a foolish girl who is possessed almost like a saint...'. Having seen the Livanovs the previous night, he celebrates their reciprocal love and friendship, and marvels at Evgenia's beauty, comparing her to a book illustration with Pasternak and Boris as smudges in the text.
'You as Lear will create a storm'; Pasternak's appraisal of King Lear and a deep expression of friendship for the Livanovs.
Pasternak's translation of King Lear was published in 1949; he had turned from poetry to translating Shakespeare following his disillusionment with Communist ideals during the purges of the 1930s. Here he approves of Livanov's casting, 'with your brilliance and majestic eloquence and the fierce simplicity - You'll find it very easy to play that part... In Lear nobody but downright scoundrels and criminals speak about good, allegiance, interests of the state and loyalty to one's homeland. The only positive characters in the play are a wilful madman and a foolish girl who is possessed almost like a saint...'. Having seen the Livanovs the previous night, he celebrates their reciprocal love and friendship, and marvels at Evgenia's beauty, comparing her to a book illustration with Pasternak and Boris as smudges in the text.
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