Tigana - Chapter 2

[fajrdrako]

Again, set in Astibar at the time of the Festival and the funeral of Duke
Sandre, who had been in exile and was now set home for burial.

(1) Named characters:

• Devin, a singer with a travelling musical troupe, aged 19, from a farm in Asoli
  
• Povar and Nico, his twin brothers (seen in flashback/memory)
  
• Garin of Lower Corte, his father (flashback/memory)
  
• Menico de Ferraut, the leader and manager of the musical troupe
  
• Catriana d'Astibar, another singer in the troupe
  
• Rovigo d'Astibar, mariner, master of the Sea Main
  
• Marius, King of Quileia
  
• Goro the Tavern-Keeper at The Bird
  
• Marra, one of the singers in Menico's troupe, now dead - had been Devin's friend
  and lover
  
• Alessan, musician in the troupe; plays pipes and comes from Tregea (south of
  Astibar)
  
• Nieri and Aldine, dancers with the troupe
  
• Eghano, a drummer with the troupe
  
• Tomasso d'Astibar, son of the late Duke Sandre d'Astibar

(2) This chapter introduces the personalities of Astibar and, particularly, of
Menico's musical troupe which has been called in for the funeral of the Duke.
Devin is attracted to Catriana and isn't sure how to handle it.

(3) They get the contract, mainly because of Devin's talent.

(4) Devin's dream confuses the myth of the gods and their sacrifices with the
people he knows, with Alessan in the place of the god.

(5) There are several passages in this chapter that make me think of Dunnett.
"..a piece Devin has been singing for nearly six years, a song he could manage
in stupor" reminds me of the description of Lymond playing "L'Homme Armee" for
Philippa, knowing she must have known it for years. Or the cadence of "Cartiana
quite simply ignored this," and Alessan saying something "mildly". It feels
like the Dunnett vocabulary.

(6) Devin reminds me of Will Scott, though I'm not sure I can define how.

(7) I like Alessan's line, "Old songs and memories of fathers are important."