How Scots have been defined in the arts over the years

It was Sir Walter Scott who pioneered the formation of Scots as a culturally independent race of people distinctly different from those in England. He did succeed to a large extent, with the immediate picture of tartan-wearing people following traditions that started from the 16th century coming to mind when contemplating the Scottish people. This combination of dress and customs has become symbolic of the people of Scotland, due his efforts, and continue to remain so.

A Rossini created opera titled La Donna del Lago has the poem The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott as its base. There is a fair mix of Italian flavour in the opera, but the founding source of the opera does appear clear in the entire act and gives that experience of being different from other similar themes.

The theme of the opera can be summed up by saying that, it is all about feud between rival men over one women and land. King James, Lady Elena with Rodrigo and Malcom being the main characters of the feud, each having their own likes.

What gives the opera its distinct difference is the musical element. The sound of horns as if from the distant highlands and the lifting solo number which accompanies Elena, the woman being sought, rows across the water. Even the stage set up adds to the illusionary effect that the act is all about.

The opera has its element of modern times too embedded into it. Treatment of women as a booty for the men of the victorious army has been depicted in quite a raw and close to real fashion in the opera.

Other aspect of the opera which gives the resemblance of the original author Scott in it has been the Enlightenment gentlemen who appear on stage most times with curiosity writ on themselves. Though it has the traits of Scoot and his poem in their presence but maybe that could have been underplayed a little.