"Street Boy" by Il Musico

[C van D (imported)]

Il Musico is best known for his scholarly (and of epic length) "Pilgrimage to Norcia". But his shorter pieces deserve just as much attention and I have picked out one for comment.

Told in the first person, the narrator has been left desolate by the death of his wife and son, killed in a road accident. One night, still reeling from this tragedy, he picks up Alex, aged 12, destitute, starving and freezing to death, and takes him in.

Alex has an appalling story. Running away from home he is repeatedly rejected, takes to living and sleeping rough on the streets, is gang-raped by other boys as "initiation", and falls into the clutches of a coven of perverted weirdoes who hack off his scrotum with a ceremonial knife.....

Il Musico has a deep personal interest in the subject of castrating boys to preserve their voices, and not surprisingly the story ends with Alex, healed and enrolled at the Conservatory, developing a voice of great power and sweetness, also learning the violin.

Il Musico's genius is in setting this story in the here-and-now, not in 17th century Italy but in New York City 2011. A real gem, not to be missed

[Il Musico (imported)]

Well, thanks for the kind advertising!

It was back in 2000 when I picked up Alex from among the many young castrati who ghost around in the back of my mind, brought him home, put him on paper (well, bits and bytes really) and posted him on the EA. So Alex must be 23 now, and is surely doing well, pursuing his musical career. How time flies by!

I thought I was better known for The Choirboy, in any case... That one was my first story here, the one into which I poured the most autobiographic ingredients, and overwhelming public acclaim (well, at least there were a few posts!) triggered two more bouts of creativity, so that the Choirboy story got a second and a third part, which weren't planned originally. Peter and Bertrand must be long out of music school now, and working busy concert schedules.

On the other hand, my attempt at poetry failed to rise any comments, in the most miserable way, so I didn't try that again. The same happened very recently when I posted my only story so far in German language. I think I painted quite a vivid scene there, with fewer writing mistakes than I do in English, although the story is a bit slow and foreseeable. I really thought that some of our German readers here would like it enough to comment, but nope.

That's why I returned to writing in English again, and hope to post my next story soon, but I'm getting old and inspiration is bypassing me, most of the time, so that this story still is only in its fifth page at present, and nothing much has happened yet... It looks like this new story will get long winded again - but not as much as that long solo walk to Norcia, I promise!

[Tad..... (imported)]

Yep...I'm with C van D on this one. Street Boy (http://www.eunuch.org/Alpha/S/newea_483618The_Stre.htm) really is an incredibly interesting story of a kid driven out, beaten, injured and tossed aside by even the lowest dregs on the planet...sort of a 21st Century Victor Hugo thing! With characters real and intense, the story is a challenging deal...like who would, in this day and age, dare {or even bother} to bring the kid home? Just think of the staggering legal hassle...'course he'll be a frozen statistic come morning. Definitely a wake-up call...

Note to Il Musico: When Alex makes his debut, I want a front row seat!!!

Tad

[Il Musico (imported)]

Note to Il Musico: When Alex makes his debut, I want a front row seat!!!

Tad

You came late, Tad! Sorry! I wrote that story in 11 years ago. Alex is now 23, and must have debuted years ago!

I will keep you in mind for the debuts of some of my younger creations!

[Josh Goodman (imported)]

Well, thanks for the kind advertising!

On the other hand, my attempt at poetry failed to rise any comments, in the most miserable way, so I didn't try that again. The same happened very recently when I posted my only story so far in German language. I think I painted quite a vivid scene there, with fewer writing mistakes than I do in English, although the story is a bit slow and foreseeable. I really thought that some of our German readers here would like it enough to comment, but nope.

I remember your poetry and I thought it was wonderful. I'm sorry I didn't say so when the story was first posted.

[Il Musico (imported)]

I remember your poetry and I thought it was wonderful. I'm sorry I didn't say so when the story was first posted.

Oh, thanks for that!

And version 2.0 of that poem is still not out. Shame on me.

[Tad..... (imported)]

You came late, Tad! Sorry! I wrote that story in 11 years ago. Alex is now 23, and must have debuted years ago!

I will keep you in mind for the debuts of some of my younger creations!

Hmm...just missed it, huh? Oh well, next time he's on tour let me know!

I picked up Alex from among the many young castrati who ghost around in the back of my mind

Definitely know the feeling...I have more than a few of my own ghosts floating around!

Tad

[C van D (imported)]

Hmm...just missed it, huh? Oh well, next time he's on tour let me know!

Definitely know the feeling...I have more than a few of my own ghosts floating around!

Tad

I just love your avatar - the Greek boy pulling a thorn from his foot. Years ago there was a replica, near where I used to live. I longed to be able to wave a wand and transform him into a real live suntanned 12-year-old, to speak to him in classical Greek (which I used to be able to do). As for his little cock and balls, you can guess the rest.

[StefanIsMe (imported)]

Not to stray too off topic, but there is an American artist, his name escapes me... but I saw a show a couple months ago with a bunch of his paintings at Winnipeg Arrt Gallery.

He painted an oil/canvass interpretation of the statue mentioned above, and in Tad's avatar. It was a brilliant piece.

[Tad..... (imported)]

I just love your avatar - the Greek boy pulling a thorn from his foot. Years ago there was a replica, near where I used to live. I longed to be able to wave a wand and transform him into a real live suntanned 12-year-old, to speak to him in classical Greek (which I used to be able to do). As for his little cock and balls, you can guess the rest.

Yep… the details would be obvious! Anyway, glad you like the avatar. It would definitely be interesting if that wand of yours actually worked! And if the shock of a Hellenistic bronze coming to life scares the classical Greek out of you, jump to Latin…or Italian…apparently Spinario has been living in Rome for…well…centuries! Hmm…just wondering, is Simon planning a visit…?

Note to StefanIsMe: If you’re interested and have about $3,000 just taking up space, you can obtain a fairly decent replica (http://www.david-sharp.co.uk/advanced_s ... io&x=6&y=6) for your backyard!

Note to Il Musico: The Musei Capitolini is beyond amazing!

Tad