Tales of Mary – The National Gallery

“All under the leaves, the leaves of life,
I met with virgins seven,
And one of them was Mary mild,
Our Lord’s mother in Heaven.”

Celebrate Christmas at The National Gallery by listening to ‘Tales of Mary‘ – told beside the magnificent painting of  ‘The Annunciation’  by Italian artist, Carlo Crivelli. Mary kneels before the Angel Gabriel, with his glorious multi-coloured wings. The figures are surrounded by ornate objects and architecture. The painting is full of mysterious symbols – plants, a peacock, a wrinkled marrow, an apple, and doves.

‘Tales of Mary’ takes the listener from the birth of Mary, through her early life, to the eventful journey towards the Nativity. I have woven together stories from The Bible, English Medieval Mystery plays, fragments from The Golden Legend, European folktales, hymns, ballads and prayers. Some of the stories are sacred, some filled with un-expected ribald medieval humour! All the stories seem to have the same images that reoccur again and again, as if they are all trying to tell the same story, of – visions, angels, doubt, disbelieving, and the mystery of birth.

‘Tales of  Mary’
Performed by Sally Pomme Clayton
The National Gallery
Thursday 22 December
 1.00pm – 1.50pm
Room 59
Admission free
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