#The Lay of Leithian Rock Opera

[curiouselleth]

I just submitted a new community for approval - the Finrod Costume Color Debate Community! It’s a mouthful and SO niche but I thought it would be fun.

I’m very interested to see where communities go. I was tempted to make a bigger one, like for Silm fans but that sounded like a lot of responsibility and someone might have done it already.

Anyway I’ll update when or if it gets approved!

[quixoticanarchy]

Just realizing it’s kind of strange how the published Silmarillion leaves out Sauron actually finding out Beren and Finrod’s names. Like I’ve seen posts wondering when Sauron might find out and what if it’s not til the Third Age, but in the poetic Lay of Leithian he finds out in Tol-in-Gaurhoth because Finrod and Beren use each other’s real names and he overhears them. It’s already funny that the Nereb-and-Dungalef tactic works on Sauron but even funnier that it finally fails not because Sauron figures it out but because they give themselves away

And moreover, Sauron knowing Finrod’s identity is key to Finrod’s whole death: Sauron’s reaction to learning their names is to say the outlaw mortal’s life is worthless and he can die now, but Finrod will be kept and tortured long beyond what a Man could endure, until Sauron learns the secret of their errand. He also threatens to ransom Finrod back to Nargothrond if his people care enough about him – or suggests perhaps Celegorm will just keep the treasure and not bother. The published Silmarillion just says “…Sauron purposed to keep Felagund to the last, for he perceived that he was a Noldo of great might and wisdom, and he deemed that in him lay the secret of their errand.”

Whereas the poetic Lay has:

“’’Twere little loss if he were dead, the outlaw mortal. But the king, the Elf undying, many a thing no man could suffer may endure. Perchance, when what these walls immure of dreadful anguish thy folk learn, their king to ransom they will yearn with gold and gem and high hearts cowed; or maybe Celegorm the proud will deem a rival’s prison cheap, and crown and gold himself will keep. Perchance, the errand I shall know, ere all is done, that ye did go.’”

And it’s right after this that he sends the wolf to kill Beren. So Finrod essentially is not just keeping his oath to protect Beren but also responding to this threat he’s just received that Beren will be killed and he himself will be tortured to death afterwards. And the irony of course is Sauron could get the secret of their mission from either Finrod or Beren, and it’s Beren, who he wants to kill immediately (and who in the poetic version even says at one point that he’s willing to confess everything to try to trade for Finrod’s life), that the secret actually most matters to. But Sauron immediately discounts the mortal in favor of torturing the elf. Finrod has no stake in completing the Silmaril quest once Beren is dead so it’s a moot point by the time Sauron would discover it. But in dying, he denies Sauron the satisfaction of torturing him and the indignity of ransoming/failing to ransom him. And Beren, whose errand it is, stays alive a little longer. Finrod’s death protects Beren but critically it also denies Sauron what he wants - especially if he thinks only Finrod knew the secret he wants - and avoids a Maedhros-esque fate for himself.

[sewn-with-lilies-fair]

Lay of Leithian: The Rock Opera

Subtitled Livestream- 9 November, 2024

Two different fates are woven together when Lúthien, an elven princess, falls in love with Beren, a hero of mortal men. To win her hand, Beren is sent on an impossible quest- to cut a legendary gem from the crown of the Dark Lord. So begins this battle between light and darkness, love and duty, in the most enduring tale of Tolkien’s Middle Earth.

Want to experience a new Tolkien adaptation? Our little Leithian fandom would like to invite you to one of our livestreams! Come join myself and some other fun Silmarillion fans as we watch this Tolkien rock opera together.

Where: Cytube (video stream) / Discord (live chat) Links will be reblogged here, 1 hour before the stream. When: Sunday, 9th November, 9am PST / 12pm EST / 18:00 CET Run Time: 1hr, 35m, with a 15 minute intermission Performance Details: June 2024 recording in 4K Language: Russian / Subtitles: English* *Subtitles are an uncorrected draft; they may contain slight timing errors or performance/script inconsistencies that should not detract from the stream. Note: This recording contains flashing lights. Additional Material: • Lay of Leithian translation • Links and resources

See you soon! 🤘

[serene-faerie]

After watching the Lay of Leithian rock opera, I was inspired to make this poll:

Please reblog this poll for more answers!

[emeraldskulblaka]

The voice of the storm cuts through the wolf howls And through the croak of the crows. I set my fire, And I send you now To mournful Angband!

Evgeny Egorov as Finrod and Mikhail Nakhimovich as Sauron in Lay of Leithian, Skazki Theatre, 15 December 2024

[sesamenom]

WAIT SO THAT'S WHY THEY REMIND US OF C&C

[erdarieldraws]

And in reality, not a fairy tale, oblivion shall descend...

[dry-tofu]

very very low effort twirly finrod

[ilaneya]

my arts for musicals zine! beren and lúthien from “lay of leithian” and finrod and sauron from “finrod zong”

both musicals are based on the same tolkien’s work so i tried to make it look like these illustrations belong in the same book

[curufan]

[edennill]

Was anyone going to tell me some versions of the Lay of Leithian rock opera contain a song in which Morgoth and Sauron talk tactics while Namo Mandos (...who is providing exposition for... some reason, but since I like him I'm not going to complain) is roasting them in the background?

[curiouselleth]

Lay of Leithian collage I just finished!

30in by 24in, photos glued onto canvas. Photos not my me but the arrangement is. I might add some swirly lines of glitter at some point, but I’m pretty happy with how it is now!

[vorbarrsultana]

finrod standing over sauron as he's singing his first spell is *chef's kiss*

[sewn-with-lilies-fair]

As a holiday gift, I commissioned Aoife O'Dea to sing Luthien's Lullaby from the Lay of Leithian musical.

There couldn't be a more perfect fit- Aoife, who played Arwen in Watermill Theatre's Lord of the Rings musical last year, and Luthien, Arwen's elven ancestor, using the magic of song to send us off to sleep.

Dreams, on the wings of music hover...

Voice and harp- Aoife O'Dea Original music and lyrics- Skadi English lyrics- @nereb-and-dungalef, @quixoticanarchy, and @sewn-with-lilies-fair

Lyrics under the cut.

Day fades to night, Sunset hides its light ‘til dawn’s unveiling. Stars out of sight Shine over those whose strength is close to failing.

I sing before the lord of darkness, Minstrel in the halls that echo starless. Dreams on the wings of music hover- Sleep, bow your head to peaceful slumber. Sleep…

On gentle wings Mist turns the mountains sapphire as the ocean. Like waves I sing, And from the strands of fate my verse is woven.

Over the night the moon is sailing Onward, to the shores where sleep is waiting. Dreams on the wings of music hover- Wait, bow your head to peaceful slumber. Wait…

Fine threads of rain Upon your window weave a satin curtain. Lay down your pain, And let oblivion relieve your burden.

Hear how the restless wind is sighing- Quiet, for the storm has ceased its crying. Dreams on the wings of music hover- Hush, bow your head to peaceful slumber. Hush…

[serene-faerie]

To all Lay of Leithian rock opera fans:

In honor of tomorrow's show, please reblog with your favorite Beren and Lúthien performances! I'll go first.

Ever since I saw Mikhail Potekhin's performance as Beren, he's the one who always comes to mind whenever I imagine the character. His "Hey Hop" is the definitive one, and I can honestly never get enough of it. The way he can easily change from vengeful outlaw hero to a romantic hero who would do anything for Lúthien is just so beautiful, and he just comes across as genuine and truly in love. Plus, the way he looks at Lúthien with such soft eyes always makes me so soft 💕

As for my favorite Lúthien:

I love Daria Burlyukalo's Lúthien the most. She has great chemistry with Mikhail's Beren, and I love how she looks at him so adoringly 💕 Oh, and her eyes are so gorgeous, and I love the range in her voice! I love how she can go from gentle and romantic to spirited and determined, and I really love her rendition of Lúthien's lullaby to Morgoth.

Now it's your turn! Tell me about your favorite portrayals of Beren and Lúthien!

Tagging @sewn-with-lilies-fair and @emeraldskulblaka ! Reblog with your fave Beren and Lúthien, then tag someone else for their answer!

[emeraldskulblaka]

Tolkien Stage Adaptations - Performance Calendar

~ December 2024 ~

The Lord of the Rings (musical; Auckland, New Zealand)

1 (two shows)

Сказание о Берене и Лютиэн ([equestrian] NOTmusical; Plaskinino, Russia)

1

broadcast only

performed without horses

Fellowship! (musical parody; Philadelphia, PA, USA)

1-22

Fridays and Sundays

The Hobbit (play; Vancouver, BC, Canada)

4-21

except Mondays and Tuesdays, 15

additional matinees: 7, 12, 14, 21

8: Relaxed Performance

adaptation by Kim Selody

The Lord of the Rims (panto; London, UK)

5-28

Thursdays through Saturdays

except 26 (Boxing Day)

The Hobbit (play; El Paso, TX, USA)

6-22

Fridays through Sundays

adaptation by Patricia Gray

Der Hobbit (puppetry play; Leipzig, Germany)

12-16

13 (morning), 16: school performances

Лэ о Лэйтиан (rock opera; Moscow, Russia)

15

live broadcast available

Taru sormusten herrasta (play; Tampere, Finland)

17-21, 28, 30, 31

Honourable mentions:

1: online stream of a recording of Pád Doriathu (musical) by @a-mountain-hobbit

15: concert "Сказочный... концерт" in Moscow, Russia featuring songs from Лэ о Лэйтиан (rock opera), among others

18: work presentation of Taru sormusten herrasta in Tampere, Finland

Performance dates and times are subject to change; please check the original post for up-to-date information.

For a general overview of Tolkien stage adaptations, see this post.

Image sources: 1 2 3