In the Venusberg (John Collier, 1901)

RFRY, added 09 Jun 06, version 6 is the most current version. I would start there, but that's just me.

In order, the versions are as follows

• In the Venusberg Attempts (this is my standard nomenclature for raw material)
• In the Venusberg v1
• In the Venusberg v2
• In the Venusberg v3
• In the Venusberg v4
• In the Venusberg v5
• In the Venusberg v6 (most current version)

There are generally few changes between each version, mostly just little cuts and rewordings, though some of the shifts are more massive.

This is part of my series of poems based on paintings, this one relating to this painting by John Collier, titled (surprise!) In the Venusberg. The title refers to the story of Tannhauser, a middle ages morality fable about a man trapped in the grotto of Venus against his (eventual) wishes.

Read more at wikipedia about the story or the opera, whose overature and "In the Venusberg" I want played at my funeral. Just so you know. Also, my story "Half a Century" deals with some of this same imagery and ideas at its end.

--RFRY, 09 Jun. 06