Videos and Songs! (part of Obscure Rock Operas)
Note: this opera has two titles, 'Whither Then My Kingdom' and 'Gwyneth and Owen'
Overview: There are many myths surrounding Gwyneth and Owen, this is but one of the more popular renditions. True facts are not available, and probably never will be. Its an ancient story thats been told many ways, and the rendition here is but a trace of all the materials that apparently once existed. In particular, besides the story itself, many of the songs heard are mere snippets of whole forms never realized or lost to posterity. An effort was made to use original renditions where they existed, and where they did not only a handful were recreated in the present day. An effort was also made to preserve all the themes in the background, some with words and some without. The story itself took many forms over the years - of particular disagreement is what exactly occurred between Gwyn and Owen the night before the fight, whether the fight was in fact faked at all, and where exactly Gwyn was during Owen's sojourne at the meeting point. Other versions of the myth have Owen returning first, and then sailing off again having found Gwyn gone, and then Gwyn in turn coming back to find Owen gone, and this cycle repeating . Of course the central mystery in this particular rendition is not only how Gwyn discovered the secret behind the longstanding feud between the coastlanders and the inlanders, but how she so quickly mastered and then implemented it. And why it could NOT include Owen. Theories abound - it was a particularly misty season when the story is said to have occurred, and some say vague figures in the mist - Shaman-like people, may have helped Gwyneth. Others say she was simply extremely adept at managing relationships, where Owen had other gifts. Other tales may follow as they are unearthed. Who was the hero of the tale? Most say obviously Gwyn, as she brought about the peace. Others though think Owen played a bigger part than is told here - and obviously, Gwyn might not have done any of this without his involvement and love. Nobody knows what they planned for certain. The final deathbed scene of course lends speculation that as he passed on, she whispered to him the secret that she hadn't been willing or able to tell him. We'll probably never know what it was, but it made a dying man smile. That alone should give us comfort as the years lengthen.
