November 18, 2006

Pre-concert lecture at 7:30 pm; Concert at 8:00 pm

Unitarian Church of Princeton

 

Shakespeare and the Literary Tradition

in 18^th Century British Music

 

Laura Heimes, soprano

Amelia Roosevelt, baroque violin

Dongmyung Ahn, baroque violin

John Burkhalter, recorder

Donna Fournier, viola da gamba & baroque cello

Janet Palumbo, harpsichord

 

Shakespeare cast a long shadow on British culture.  In the 18th century, Shakespeare's theatrical works were performed, parodied, and mined for ideas that led to the creation of new works.  This concert will explore the legacy of that literary tradition on musical life in 18th century Britain through performances of works by the most famous English composers of the day, who produced works for the theatre as well as the concert rooms.  Included on the program are songs by Thomas Arne, Maurice Green, and Thomas Chilcott—all on texts by Shakespeare—and related compositions on texts by Milton, Congreve, and Dryden.  John Christopher Smith, who was Handel's assistant, composed instrumental overtures for theatrical productions of "The Tempest" and "The Fairies,"  and these overtures, as well as Arne’s Trio Sonata in E minor, will be featured works on the program.

 

PROGRAM:

John Christopher Smith         Overture to “The Fairies”

                                                      Overture to “The Tempest”

 

Dr. Thomas Arne                     Trio Sonata in E minor, op. 3, no. 7

                                                      3 Songs on Shakespeare texts:

                                                      “Where the Bee Sucks,”

                                                                        from The Tempest

                                                      “The Cuckow,”

                                                                        from As You Like It

                                                      “To Keep my Gentle Jessy,”

                                                                       from The Merchant of Venice

 

                                                        “A Wood Nymph,”

                                                                       from The Fairy Prince

                                                 “The Happy Bride” (text by John Gay)

 

Maurice Greene                    “Orpheus with his Lute,”

                                                                       from Henry VIII

                                                   “Astrea” (text by John Hughs)

 

Thomas Chilcott                     "Wedding is Great Juno's Crown"

                                                                      from As You Like It

 

William Boyce                         “The Song of Diana” (text by Dryden)

 

Michael Christian Festing      Milton’s “May Morning”

 

Robert Howard                       “Thus to a ripe consenting Maid”

                                                                 (text by Congreve)

 

William Jackson                      “So the chill mist,”

                                                              from The Lord of the Manor        

                                                                         A comic opera, text by General John Burgoyne