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Exhibits and collectors editions mark 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio_我的网站

A | NEW YORK -- On the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio, rare originals are being displayed and publishers are offering collectors editions of Shakespeare's plays, including one that sells for $1,500.Scholars believe that between 200-300 copies still survive from the late 1623 release of “Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories & Tragedies." Presided over by two friends and former colleagues of Shakespeare, who had died in 1616, the Folio ensured that lasting texts existed for “Macbeth,” “Twelfth Night” and other cornerstones of Western literature. In Shakespeare's lifetime, many of his works were unpublished or available only in cheap paperback editions.“Without the First Folio we would have lost a world of words,” Gregory Doran, artistic director emeritus of the Royal Shakespeare Company, writes in the introduction to “The Complete Plays” of Shakespeare, a new publication.First folios have been on exhibit everywhere from the British Museum to the New York Public Library and at least two major book projects will mark the anniversary. The British Museum is collaborating with Rizzoli Books in New York on “Shakespeare’s First Folio: 400th Anniversary Facsimile Edition,” contained within a slipcase cover. With a list price of $150, the book is 928 pages and includes an introductory booklet co-written by Adrian Edwards, head curator of the British Library’s Printed Heritage Collections.The most ambitious, and exclusive project, is “The Complete Plays,” a limited edition from the Folio Society, an employee-owned company in London that puts out customized volumes ranging from "Beowulf" to George R.R. Martin's “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. The Society has printed just 1,000 copies of the 3-volume box set, with a list price of $1,500. Besides Doran's introduction, the Folio Society release includes a foreword by Dame Judi Dench. Each set is hand-numbered by illustrator Neil Packer.More than three-quarters of “The Complete Plays” have already sold, according to the publisher.“In an era when everything seems disposable, I feel like there's a good market for fine editions of classic books,” says Folio Society publishing director Tom Walker.The First Folio was daring, even audacious for its time, when such publications were “reserved for learned treatises, hefty genealogical texts, books of religious or historiographical importance, or even works by monarchs,” according to Shakespeare scholar Chris Laoutaris. Before Shakespeare the only playwright known to have been so honored was his contemporary Ben Jonson, who honored himself by overseeing “The Workes of Benjamin Jonson” in 1616. While the British Museum edition is relatively affordable, the Folio Society's production is closer to the intended market for the original release."Only those with deep pockets, and the space to read them, could afford such luxurious products," says Laoutaris, an associate professor at the Shakespeare Institute in the playwright's native Stratford-On-Avon and author of “Shakespeare’s Book: The Intertwined Lives Behind the Fist Folio,” which came out this year. “When it was released, the First Folio cost more to produce than any other collection of plays in history up until that point.”The Folio proved successful enough that an updated edition, the Second Folio, was published in 1632, a Third Folio in 1663 and a fourth in 1685. By the 19th century, the original Folio was becoming a valued piece of history, in part through the efforts of collectors Henry and Emily Folger, and a symbol of might for the British Empire. Sir George Grey, who had served as a colonial governor, established libraries worldwide that included copies of the First Folio.“For Grey, the First Folio represented the pinnacle of culture, but specifically English culture,” Laoutaris says. “He sought nothing less than the obliteration of the language and culture of the native populations in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, nurturing a desire to replace these with the English language and its literary products." The United States is home to more than half of all existing copies of the First Folio, followed by the United Kingdom and Japan, with handfuls of editions also existing in Germany, France, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand among other countries. For antiquarians, the First Folio is the greatest of prizes: One sold for $9.9 million in 2020. For scholars and countless admirers, the Folio is secondary to the plays themselves."Shakespeare’s stature, for the past 400 years, is a reflection of his plays’ staying power on the stage far more than their survival in a collected works," says James Shapiro, a professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University and author of several books on Shakespeare.“You can buy a Ben Jonson folio for a few thousand dollars; a Shakespeare folio will cost you millions. The reason for this simple: the remarkable afterlife of his comedies, histories, and tragedies in theaters throughout the world.”。

B | Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman is expanding his vision beyond film soundtracks and global concerts with the launch of a brand new music production and creative facility in Kohima, Nagaland. The celebrated singer-composer recently joined hands with Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio to formally announce the establishment of the Naga International Studio, a project that promises to place the state firmly on the cultural map of the country.A Landmark Collaboration in the HillsAccording to the official release, the studio will feature a dedicated auditorium for performances, state-of-the-art recording facilities and a wide range of creative infrastructure aimed at nurturing young talent. The idea is not just to build a studio but to create an ecosystem that allows music production, collaboration and experimentation to thrive.During the announcement, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio welcomed Rahman to his native village of Touphema and spoke warmly about the significance of the project. He thanked the composer for choosing Nagaland for such a major initiative and described the move as a reflection of Rahman’s affection for the people of the state. The Chief Minister added that the Naga International Studio represents a shared commitment towards encouraging creativity and innovation in regions that often lie outside the mainstream spotlight. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ARR (@arrahman) “This is a meaningful step that reflects our shared commitment to nurturing creativity, innovation, and supporting creative talent. I wish this initiative growth, excellence, and impact,” the CM stated, while also assuring Rahman of complete support from the state government.From Headhunting to Beatboxing and BeyondRahman, in turn, expressed his gratitude to the Nagaland government and its people for the warmth with which the project has been embraced. Speaking about the cultural richness of the region, he said, “Nagaland has a rare musical soul which is honest, original, and deeply rooted in its culture. The Naga International Studio is envisioned as a space where this heritage can meet world class creativity, allowing young artists from the region to collaborate, experiment, and create music that resonates not just nationally, but globally. I am grateful to Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio, the Government of Nagaland and TAFMA for their vision and support in making this dream possible.”Alongside the studio announcement, Rahman also unveiled the trailer of Headhunting to Beatboxing, a documentary he has produced, directed by Rohit Gupta. The film explores Nagaland’s evolving creative identity and its musical resurgence, tracing how traditional roots are blending with modern sounds to create something distinctively new.The documentary is expected to shine a light on local musicians, cultural traditions and the changing face of music in the region, further underlining Rahman’s larger mission to bring stories from the Northeast to a global audience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Virtual Bharat (@virtualbharat) The Naga International Studio is being positioned as more than just a facility. It is intended to serve as a creative hub that draws artists, producers and collaborators from across India and abroad. By offering professional grade infrastructure in Kohima, the project aims to reduce the need for young musicians to migrate to metros in search of opportunity.For Nagaland, a state long known for its vibrant music culture but limited access to industry level platforms, this initiative could be transformative. With Rahman’s global reputation and the backing of the state government, the studio is expected to generate new opportunities, encourage skill development and spotlight regional talent on national and international stages. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AR Rahman: Official Updates (@arrofficialupdates) At a time when conversations around inclusivity and decentralisation are gaining momentum in the Indian creative industries, the Naga International Studio stands out as a meaningful step forward. It not only acknowledges the immense potential of the Northeast but also provides the tools to help that potential flourish.Also Read: A.R. Rahman Says Roja Was Going to Be His Last Film。
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