|
||
| Buffalo News December 3, 1999 |
"It is often the people with the greatest abilities who have the biggest obstacles to face," wrote Leopold Mozart in disgust after his son, Wolfgang, was passed over for yet another court composer appointment. Throughout history, creative people have proven that the road to success is fraught with potholes. Test your knowledge of bohemia: Match the artist with his or her "Rent" experience. A. Growing up, he played the piano in brothels to make ends meet. B. Frittered away college and tried a lot of jobs after that, but failed at all of them because none would engage all of the artist's (to quote one encyclopedia) "great but unbalanced abilities." C. To pay the bills, this artist got a teaching job in a rough school where the students pulled knives. D. Almost lost an important job when he artistically depicted one of his enemies in an extremely unflattering way. E. While holding down a desk job, pursued artistic goals with constant interruption: Every time someone came to the door, all evidence of the work in progress had to be shoved into a drawer. F. Was once booted out the door, along with roommates, by landlady, for loudly singing Wagner's "Goetterdaemmerung." Landlady locked the door behind the lot of them. G. Dug ditches for a living while waiting for a break. H. Sold T-shirts for a living while waiting for a break. I. Expelled from college, entered into an ill-fated marriage at 19 and subsequently wandered Europe. J. At one time known for both vegetarianism and slovenly dress, this person can claim credit for a bohemian belief: "Contemplation is a kind of action." K. Waited tables at a diner and, for extra money, sold off old school textbooks. L. When this artist mouthed off to an employer, the boss rewarded the sass with a kick - literally - in the pants. Fired!
1. Jonathan Larson, creator of "Rent" 2. Jane Austen, novelist 3. Clint Eastwood, actor 4. Johann Sebastian Bach, composer 5. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, poet 6. Seneca, ancient Roman philosopher 7. Johannes Brahms, composer 8. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composer 9. Percy Bysshe Shelley, poet 10. Michelangelo, painter and sculptor 11. Faith Hill, country singer 12. Gustav Mahler, composer
|
|