Candidate Profile

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EXPERTISE
History - Art & Culture
History - General
Music
Travel & Destinations
Vikings & Scandinavia
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH:
BIOGRAPHY
Sharing her passion for cross-cultural insights is a main feature of the presentations by Lucy Hallman Russell. Born in Alabama, she attained four diplomas in piano, music history and harpsichord, with additional studies in Italian, art history, pre-history and archaeology (Universities of Montevallo, Alabama, Munich and Universities of Music Munich and Stuttgart).

After advanced studies in Germany, she has enjoyed a long career as associate professor of music and music history at the Wuerzburg Conservatory and the University of Music Wuerzburg, and in 2014 was awarded the rare Silver Pin of Honor. As a harpsichordist she has performed and taught masterclasses throughout Europe, in the USA, China and Russia.

Since 2006 Lucy Russell has been active together with her husband Ray Carson Russell as cultural historian duo for National Geographic Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions, as well as for Princess, Sea Cloud, Hapag-Lloyd, Celebrity, Silversea. Travels to some 45 countries and speaking several languages have given this charming, captivating and stimulating speaker with a resonant singing voice a very special knowledge of all of Europe, plus Russia and China.

Lucy Hallman Russell loves nothing better than speaking to interested listeners about her familiarity with all things cultural to help them better enjoy their own individual travel experiences. And if you like, just ask her about pre-historic archaeology, finding artifacts on the fields, making stone mosaics, baking Southern biscuits or pecan pie, or the construction of music instruments!

PRESENTATIONS
Powerpoint Enrichment Topics by Lucy Hallman Russell


MUSIC AND CULTURE:

* Mozart’s Operas: What Cannot Be Spoken Must Be Sung!
When the Sevillian barber Figaro outwits the Count, the Revolution has already begun, and Enlightenment is well underway in uncensored opera.
* Europe 1500: Artists and Patronage, Printing & Reformation
Generous patrons of the Italian city-states lent their support of art, music and poetry, while the printing press enabled the Reformation.
* Europe 1500: Music and Culture Know No Borders
The international exchange of musicians and artists spread the Renaissance throughout Europe, from Flanders and Burgundy to Italy, France and Germany. This Age of Discovery also opened new cultural worlds to enrich Europe with spices and foods, gold and the arts.
* Music Traditions: Bach and Handel
Two of the greatest Middle-German composers never met, but each created timeless works for organ and orchestra, church or opera. Handel travelled around Europe and lived in England, while Bach stayed in Germany.
* Mozart, Haydn & Beethoven – Emancipation of the Musician
These contemporaries attained new pinnacles for opera, string quartet and symphony, while changing the status of European musicians from servant to free artist.
* Changing Times and Tastes in the 18th c.: Public Concerts and Music Instruments for Everyone
The flourishing bourgeoisie of the 18th century craved concerts and music-making like the aristocracy, thus the rise of performances, instructional books and economical music instruments.
* Music Traditions: Brahms & Wagner
Brahms favored abstract piano and symphonic works, while Wagner gave his life to music drama as a total work of art.
* Both Piano and Forte: A Revolutionary Musical Instrument
Cristofori’s “harpsichord with piano and forte” from 1700 became the fortepiano of Mozart and the modern piano sturdy enough to withstand a recital by Liszt.
* Classical and Baroque Music Aesthetics
Which are more important for music aesthetics, rhetorical figures from poetry or order and balance from antiquity? How musical tastes changed from Bach to Beethoven.
* Classical Piano Music by Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven played by Guest Lecturer Lucy Russell, with commentary.


FRANCE:

* Glory and Love at the Court of Louis XIV
Opera themes Glory and Love were accompanied by ballet, Lully’s new disciplined orchestra and endless intrigues at Versailles, the setting for the flourishing of all the arts.
* Love and Heartbreak in Medieval French Poetry and Music
Troubadours and trouvères, the medieval “finders” of French lyrical poetry, sing of unattainable love and paint vivid pictures of the Middle Ages. Chivalry reigns supreme.
* Gothic and Romanesque Architecture in France
A closer look at the changes from massive Romanesque churches to the Gothic pointed spires and stained-glass windows of Notre Dame in Paris.
* Marie Antoinette: A Misfortunate Queen
The Austrian princess Marie Antoinette became the extravagant Queen of France and ended on the guillotine, as did her husband King Louis XVI.
* Prehistoric Menhirs and Dolmen
Standing stones and table stones remain on the Atlantic coast of France as relics of pre-historic times and peoples, giving free rein to our imagination.


ITALY and the MEDITERRANEAN:

* Husband Hunting in Venice: Vivaldi’s Musical Orphan Girls
Both orphans and wealthy girls sought to woo foreign gentlemen with their musical performances in Venice under Vivaldi’s tutelage.
* Renaissance Florence: Of Bankers and Patrons, Thinkers and Artists
Renaissance Florence saw Michelangelo, Leonardo, Machiavelli and many others flourish under the rule and patronage of the Medici bankers.
* Monteverdi’s Orfeo and the Birth of Opera
Monteverdi’s Orfeo from 1607 moves us even today with its new style of expressive singing and heartrending story from antiquity. Orfeo marks the birth of opera.
* Sicily: A Cultural Melting Pot
Numerous invasions and the volcano Etna have assured Sicily a colorful, vivid and varied heritage. Normans, Romans, Arabs, Spaniards and the Mafia have left indelible marks.

* Malta’s Prehistoric Monuments
On Malta, a great yellow island rock with no rivers, there were prehistoric cultures which left monumental stone structures, fat lady statues and many puzzles.


SPAIN and PORTUGAL:

* The Moorish Legacy of Al-Ándalus: Mezquita of Cordoba, Alhambra of Granada
The Mezquita mosque of Cordoba was preserved with 800 horseshoe arches even when Emperor Charles V built a cathedral inside it. Though conquered by Ferdinand and Isabella, Granada still proffers the glorious Nazarid palaces of the Alhambra.
* Flamenco and Guitars in Southern Spain
Stomping flamenco dancers, virtuoso guitarists and raspy voices form our image of music in Southern Spain. Their traditions and origins are well worth a closer look.
* Moorish Spain: Invasion, Tolerance and Learning
From 711 the Moors spread throughout Spain and into France, both conquering and setting examples of tolerance, culture and learning. Moorish Spain also brought toothpaste, paved streets and street lights, plus multilingual translations of the ancients.
* When Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue
Christopher Columbus struggled to set sail from southern Spain for India in 1492, but with the support of international bankers and the Spanish royals Ferdinand and Isabella, he made four memorable journeys and rediscovered the New World.
* Azulejos or Glazed Tiles
Glazed tiles stemming from the Moorish tradition came to be synonymous with architectural decoration in Southern Spain and Portugal, lending vivid blues and yellows to fountains and house walls.


GREECE / GREEK ISLANDS:

* Oh My . . .Gods and Goddesses of Olympia
Familiarity with the adventurous and amorous escapades of the 12 gods and goddesses of Olympia enables us to recognize images, as well as mythological references in literature and music. Only Apollo carries the same name in Greek and Roman mythology. But who wears a travelling hat and winged sandals?
* Homer’s Odysseus: Cunning, Shipwrecked, Bewitched
After his cunning idea of the Trojan horse brought victory to the Greeks, Odysseus’ years of wandering began. His encounters with the Cyclops, the sorceress Circe, the sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis abound in operas and plays even today.
* Music Archaeology – Blow Those Pipes or Pluck the Lyre
Music instruments, theory, aesthetics and even the word music itself come from the ancient Greeks. Music archeology can help us to understand celebrations, gods and drinking symposia, as well the music of today in light of antiquity.
* Ancient Greece: Temples, Theaters and Vases
Our image of Ancient Greece is formed by temples and columns, tragedy and satyr plays in theaters, black and red-figured vases and idealized marble statues. An overview in reading these visual arts.
* Everyday Life in Ancient Greece
Women remain at home, men are off to war or out drinking, slaves tend to labor and education. From marriage to burial customs, theater to Olympic games, everyday life in Ancient Greece becomes vivid. (Duo lecture with Ray Carson Russell)


RUSSIA and SCANDINAVIA:

* Bells, Battles and Basses: Nationalism in 19th c. Russian Opera
Discover very Russian themes in operas by Glinka, Mussorgsky and the Mighty Handful.
* Old Norse Mythology: The Edda and the Song of the Nibelungs
Compare the great literary works of medieval Old Norse mythology.
* Viking Arts: Dragon Ships, Runes and Stave Churches
View Viking arts in floral and animal designs, longships, picture stones, runes and stave churches.
* Romanov Czar Boris Godunov in Legend, History and Music
Hear of Mussorgsky’s opera on the despotic Czar, usurper and founder of the Romanov dynasty.
* The Viking Lands between Catholicism and the Reformation
Share in the history of fish and candles, stave churches, organs, bibles and the printing press.
* Swan Lake: Tchaikovsky and Petipa’s Russian Ballet of the 19th c.
Delight in Tchaikovsky and choreographer Petipa’s beloved ballet Swan Lake.
* A History of Languages in the Viking Homelands
Compare the histories of Old Norse, Danish, German and Russian, as well as English.
* Picture Stones and Runes of Scandinavia
See ancient picture stones with runic script, telling of gods such as Sigurd, Thor and Wotan.
* Amber: Ancient Resin or Prehistoric Gold from the Baltic Sea
Learn of the hardened resin called amber, prized more highly than gold.

* The Hanseatic Legacy: Cogs & Bricks, Salt & Herring
Through their trade in salt and herring on seaworthy cogs, wealthy Hanseatic merchants were able to finance Gothic buildings in brick, beginning in Lübeck, the Queen of the Hanse.
* The German Hanse: Medieval Traders and Transmitters of Culture
The German Hanse followed the Vikings with trade dominance over three centuries in the Baltic and North Seas. A forerunner of the European Union, the Hanse proved that commerce was more powerful than language, royalty or geography.

* Vikings Ahoy! From Raiders to Rulers
The Scandinavian Vikings sailed to every corner of Europe and to America 500 years before Columbus, leaving lasting impressions with their longships, trade, audacity, bravery, ransom and law.
* Runes of Scandinavia
Ancient picture stones with runic script are found throughout Scandinavia, especially in Sweden. They tell us of Nordic mythology and named the owners of prized handmade combs.
* Norway: Fjords, Trolls and Peer Gynt
The perpetually navigable coast and scenic fjords of Norway provide a lifeline for trade, communication, fishing and seafaring. Trolls and mythology, painters and composers (Munch, Grieg) show the simple, melodious tastes of the Norwegians.
* Norway: Codfish, Lofoten, Polar Lights
Stockfish (codfish dried on poles) and tran or fish oil from the northern Lofoten islands of Norway were long the primary sources of income. Now the spectacular scenery, never setting sun and the winter polar lights attract tourists from all over the globe.
* Norway: Lively, Rich and Green – Oslo
From the Hardanger fiddle to the Viking Oseberg ship, the modernistic opera house to the Nobel Prizes, Oslo shows the rich heritage, vivacious present and ecological standpoints of Norway.


EUROPEAN ATLANTIC/BRITISH ISLES:

* Tudor Monarchs: Henry VIII and Elizabeth I - Wives, Wars and Words
Delve into 16th c. English Renaissance history of the Anglican Church, Spanish Armada and flourishing of the arts.
* When Handel Ba-Rocked London and Dublin
Handel followed a German king to London and charmed the public with opera, water and fireworks music. Later he won everyone over with his English oratorios such as the Messiah, first performed for charity in Dublin.
* Reading the Bayeux Tapestry
The 11th c. embroidered tapestry was commissioned to tell the story of William conquering England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Of English origin, it is now found in Bayeux on the coast of Normandy, where it shares more vivid details than many history books.
* Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of France then England
Charming and influential Eleanor of Aquitaine became Queen of France, then annulled her marriage to wed the English King Henry II. Aside from perpetual family quarrels, Eleanor is known for her political savvy and for her introduction of chivalry across Europe.
* Harbors – Commerce – Hegemony (NL – B – GB)
These three aspects bound the trading cities in their efforts to attain wealth, power and rulership. Wool traded in London was made into cloth in Bruges and shipped to distant lands from Amsterdam and Lübeck. Europe was indeed interwoven!


JAPAN, KOREA, CHINA:

* Samurai, Sword and Shogun
During Japan’s period of isolation, Samurai warriors arose and followed the Way of the Warrior in service of Shogun rulers until mid-19th century. Learning, tea ceremony and aesthetics were also requisites of Samurai life.
* From Geisha and Kimono to Kabuki Theater
The words geisha, kimono, cherry blossoms, tea ceremony, Mt. Fuji…or ikebana, origami, haiku and kabuki theater conjure up many common images of Japanese culture. Let’s have a closer look!
* Japanese Arts and European Impressionism
The 1900 World Exhibition in Paris made Europe familiar with Japanese arts and aesthetics, which influenced the artists of Impressionism and Art nouveau such as Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Debussy and Lalique. A comparison is well worthwhile!

Further topics on request, also tailor-made. Available for duo literary readings with Ray Carson Russell.
CRUISE HISTORY / EXPERIENCE
Extensive cruise lecturer experience includes the entire Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, Black Sea, European Atlantic, Norwegian Fjords and Baltic Sea/Russia, plus the Rhine, Upper and Lower Danube. Fluent in German and Italian.
Since 2006 Lucy Russell has been active as cultural historian for National Geographic/ Lindblad Expeditions, plus Princess, Sea Cloud, Hapag-Lloyd, Silversea, Celebrity. Travels to 45 countries; passionate about cultural history, music and languages; intimate knowledge of all Europe, plus Russia and China.
ADDITIONAL RELEVANT INFORMATION
Available also as Duo Speaker with Ray Carson Russell
RECENT PAST CRUISES COMPLETED
The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.
SHIP REF CRUISE DESCRIPTION NIGHTS SAILING FROM DEPARTURE DATE
Viking Saturn SA240214 Iconic Western Mediterranean 7 Barcelona Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Viking Saturn SA240207 Iconic Western Mediterranean 7 Civitavecchia (for Rome) Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Viking Venus VE231128 Cities of Antiquity & the Holy Land 14 Civitavecchia (for Rome) Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Viking Venus VE231114 Cities of Antiquity & the Holy Land 14 Piraeus (Athens) Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Viking Venus VE231104 Greek Odyssey 10 Piraeus (Athens) Saturday, November 4, 2023
Viking Venus VE230722 Into the Midnight Sun 14 Greenwich, London Saturday, July 22, 2023
Queen Victoria V311 Hamburg to Southampton 2 Hamburg Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Queen Victoria V310 Western Europe 2 Southampton Sunday, April 23, 2023
Queen Victoria V309 Middle East & Europe 20 Dubai Monday, April 3, 2023
Queen Mary 2 M303 Southampton to Dubai 22 Southampton Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Queen Mary 2 M233 Westbound Transatlantic Crossing 9 Hamburg Sunday, October 16, 2022
Queen Mary 2 M227 Norway Fjords Cruise 7 Southampton Sunday, September 4, 2022
Viking Sky SK220820 Ancient Mediterranean Treasures 7 Piraeus (Athens) Saturday, August 20, 2022
Viking Sky SK220813 Venice, the Adriatic and Greece 7 Venice Saturday, August 13, 2022
Viking Sky SK220730 Iconic Western Mediterranean 7 Barcelona Saturday, July 30, 2022
Viking Venus VE220506 Viking Homelands 14 Bergen Friday, May 6, 2022
Queen Mary 2 M207P Hamburg & Cherbourg Cruise 5 Southampton Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Viking Sky SK220212 Journey to Antiquities 7 Piraeus (Athens) Saturday, February 12, 2022
Viking Venus VE211212 Greek Odyssey 10 Athens (from Piraeus) Sunday, December 12, 2021
Viking Venus VE211202 Greek Odyssey 10 Athens (from Piraeus) Thursday, December 2, 2021
Viking Venus VE211125 Ancient Mediterranean Treasures 7 Istanbul Thursday, November 25, 2021
Viking Venus VE211118 Ancient Mediterranean Treasures 7 Athens (from Piraeus) Thursday, November 18, 2021
Viking Sea SE210919 Malta & Adriatic Jewels 10 Valletta Sunday, September 19, 2021
Viking Sea SE210909 Malta & Greek Isles Discovery 10 Valletta Thursday, September 9, 2021
Viking Star ST200103 Iberian Explorer 7 Barcelona Friday, January 3, 2020
Queen Mary 2 M 934 Short Break 5 Hamburg Sunday, October 27, 2019
Queen Mary 2 M916 Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing to Hamburg 9 New York Friday, June 7, 2019
Diamond Princess M910 Spring Flowers 8 Tokyo Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Diamond Princess M909 Japan & Taiwan Cruise 8 Tokyo Monday, March 18, 2019