Verlaine in Lincolnshire

This lecture will be held in Louth Methodist Church, Nichol Hill.

Born in Boston, David read Music at Nottingham University. Some years later he undertook research into the composer Bruce Montgomery (aka Edmund Crispin, author of detective fiction), his biography of whom was published in 2007. For 32 years David was Director of Music at Leicester Grammar School. He is active as an organist, giving recitals here and there, as well as playing in big bands and folk groups. He is currently convenor of the East Midlands Chapter of the Crime Writers’ Association.

A rare calm period in the often stormy life of French poet Paul Verlaine (1844-1896) was the 15 months he spent in Lincolnshire (1875-6), teaching in Stickney and then living in Boston. The talk will discuss the circumstances which led this already admired poet to the Lincolnshire fens, his life and relationships there and the effect they had on his subsequent poetry and remaining years in France. There may also be a short interlude or two from the music his poetry inspired in composers such as Debussy and Fauré.

The lectures in 2024 will be held either in the Methodist Church in Nichol Hill, LN11 9NQ, or online using Zoom. Visitors or members may request a Zoom link by emailing start.david@btinternet.com.