Article: TUNEFUL CONSORT STIRS UP A LITTLE MUSICAL ALCHEMY.(Entertainment)(Review)

We ordinary people have sparse knowledge about medieval alchemy: to wit, that several base ingredients got cooked together, accompanied by incantations, and, over a period of time, were supposed to turn into the red-gold philosopher's stone.

It sounds like a setup for hanky-panky and sleight of hand (which it often was), but it was also a serious venture occupying dozens of scholars and seekers of truth, including clerics searching for eternal life, with the stone representing Christ.

Less known by us is alchemy's attendant periphery: mythical or monstrous animals; obscure, complex symbols; poetry; paintings; and music.

Mary Springfels, ...

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