Revisioning History: A Rhetorical Redesign of the Charleston Museum

The Charleston Museum has the distinction of being the oldest museum in the United States, founded in 1773 and still operating today. It was begun as a branch of the Charleston Library Society and soon grew to be a significant institution in Southern and American scientific discovery and research. Over the 225 years of its existence, it has amassed an impressive collection of natural history specimens, as well as rare artifacts of Lowcountry history and culture. Unfortunately, the exhibits have been neglected since their most recent installment (roughly 20 years ago) and are in need of visual and ideological revision. The revision is based on the rich history of the Charleston Museum, several key professional communications and rhetorical theories, and current trends in museum design. Four sections of the main exhibit area are addressed: Colonial, Years Surrounding the Civil War (The South Carolina Lowcountry, Halls I and II), Nature, and The Early Years. Each section is examined using description and images taken in the museum, and applied to the professional communications and rhetorical theories previously discussed. The result of this examination is a workable set of suggestions which the museum may choose to implement within the exhibit space in order to make it a more inclusive, visually pleasing, and educational exhibit

Travelling time and fire. Performance review of 'Il Trovatore' composed by Guiseppe Verdi, 3rd August 2013, Macerata Opera Festival, Arena Sferisterio

The AHRC network, Translating Music, spent two weeks in Macerata, Italy, working within the Mascerata Opera Festival. These reviews respond to the new productions within the 2013 festival. Resources and publications, including these reviews, are available at http://www.translatingmusic.co

Water and fire: Biblical dimensions of a new production of Nabucco. Performance review of 'Nabucco' composed by Guiseppe Verdi, 2nd August 2013, Macerata Opera Festival, Arena Sferisterio

The AHRC network, Translating Music, spent two weeks in Macerata, Italy, working within the Mascerata Opera Festival. These reviews respond to the new productions within the 2013 festival. Resources and publications, including these reviews, are available at http://www.translatingmusic.co

A very British international centenary. Performance review of 'Sogni di una note di mezzaestate' by William Shakespeare, Felix Mendelsohn and Benjamin Britten, 7th August 2013, Macerata Opera Festival, Arena Sferisterio

The AHRC network, Translating Music, spent two weeks in Macerata, Italy, working within the Mascerata Opera Festival. These reviews respond to the new productions within the 2013 festival. Resources and publications, including these reviews, are available at http://www.translatingmusic.co

Little sweep: alive and kicking in a little Italian theare. Performance review of 'Il Piccolo Spazzacamino' [The little sweep: let's make an opera] composed by Benjamin Britten, 30th July 2013, Macerata Opera Festival, Teatro Lauro Rossi

The AHRC network, Translating Music, spent two weeks in Macerata, Italy, working within the Mascerata Opera Festival. These reviews respond to the new productions within the 2013 festival. Resources and publications, including these reviews, are available at http://www.translatingmusic.co