Michael Field is born. Katherine and Edith publish their first plays to a positive critical reception. Robert Browning simply must know who Michael Field is! They are revealed. EPISODE LYRICS
EDITH'S LETTERDear Mr. Browning,

*I cannot thank you for the words you have written.
Such words as yours give more abundant life:
to expend it in higher, more reverent effort
is the only true gratitude possible.

As to myself and my part in the book —
to make all clear to you I must ask for complete secrecy.
My aunt and I work together.
She is my senior by 15 years.
She has taught me, encouraged me and
joined me to her poetic life.
This happy union of two is sheltered by “Michael Field”.
Please regard him as the author.*

Still hoping, doubting,
that I can make you feel what your letter has been to me,
I remain dear Mr. Browning.

Yours with deep respect,

Edith Cooper

KATHERINE'S LETTERDear Mr. Browning,

Spinoza, with his fine grasp of unity, says
“If two individuals of exactly the same nature
are joined together, they make an individual,
doubly stronger than each alone”
Edith and I make veritable Michael.

*We humbly fear you are destroying this truth:
it is said the newspapers were taught by you
to use the feminine pronoun!
I write to you to beg you to set the critics on a wrong track.

We have many things to say
the world will not tolerate from a woman’s lips.
We must be free to work out in the open air:
we cannot be stifled in drawing-rooms.
You are robbing us of real criticism — such as man gives man.*

In respectful entreaty, I am faithfully yours,

Katharine Bradley

Veritable Michael — a podcast operaThis podcast captures the making of Veritable Michael, a new opera based on the true story of Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper — two Victorian poets who lived, loved and wrote under the pseudonym, Michael Field. This podcast combines Katherine's and Edith's journals, poetry and letters with an original score by Tom Floyd, and interviews with guest speakers. Join the Shadow Opera team as we dive into Michael's fascinating and queer world.

If you are enjoying Veritable Michael and want to support our show, please consider making a donation.

A full transcript of this episode can be found here.
Veritable Michael is a Shadow Opera production.
Music composed by Tom Floyd.
Words by Michael Field.
Created and produced by Sophie Goldrick and Tom Floyd.
Artwork by James Long.

Performances by Lizzie Holmes, Sophie Goldrick, James Long and Patrick Neyman.

Thanks to our guest speakers, Professor Marion Thain, Dr Ana Parejo Vadillo and Dr Sarah Parker.

Veritable Michael is generously supported by the Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust, The Stephen Oliver Award and The Countess of Munster Musical Trust and our incredible band of crowd-funders.

For more information, video content or just to tell us that you're loving the podcast - go to shadowopera.com/veritable-michael or via our Instagram. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe this podcast.

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