Royal Librarian Oliver Urquhart Irvine delved into a discussion concerning Shakespeare and the monarchy in a pre-concert presentation at the Royal Festival Hall on 12 February.  In light of a concert featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D, Op.35 and Elgar’s Symphony No.1, Irvine focused his presentation on Shakespeare’s 1602 play and its relation to Windsor Castle in the present day. 

You certainly got a sense of Irvine’s passion for the Royal Library and his knowledge of the collections within the first few minutes of the talk.  The audience was immediately transported back in time to Jacobean England with slideshow images of English cartographer Christopher Saxton’s maps of London.  Irvine questioned Shakespeare’s relation to Windsor Castle when he conceived the comedy, and how well he actually knew the royal residence.  He concluded that although there is a bit of circumstantial and topographical evidence, there are no actual artifacts that prove Shakespeare’s relation to Windsor.

The most interesting part of the evening was Irvine’s analysis of events in Windsor and the royal family’s relationship to Shakespeare. Since Irvine works with the intellectual heritage of the British monarchy on a regular basis, this part of his lecture was fascinating. Memories of theatrical productions at Windsor Castle were read by Irvine and juxtaposed with images of the Rubens Room where they took place.  I found myself captivated by Irvine’s expertise with no dull or awkward moments that are present in so many lectures.  There were even humorous aspects – the audience gave a little chuckle as one picture depicted a school-aged Prince of Wales acting in a production of Macbeth.    

Irvine ended his talk by reminding the audience of the new exhibition at Windsor Castle: ‘Shakespeare in the Royal Library’.  The exhibition opened on the 13 February 2016 and is running until the 1 January 2017, marking the anniversary of Shakespeare’s 400^th year.