Composer

:

Frederick Loewe

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Popular

Average_duration

:

3:48

"If Ever I Would Leave You" is a popular song composed by Frederick Loewe, with lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. The song was written for the musical "Camelot," which premiered on Broadway in 1960. The musical was based on the legend of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. The song is a romantic ballad that is sung by the character Lancelot to Guinevere, expressing his love for her and his reluctance to leave her. The melody is characterized by its sweeping, romantic quality, with a soaring vocal line that is accompanied by lush orchestration. The song is structured in a traditional AABA form, with each verse building in intensity and emotion. The first verse sets the scene, with Lancelot singing about the beauty of the countryside and his love for Guinevere. The second verse expresses his fear of losing her, while the third verse is a plea for her to stay with him. The song's premiere was on December 3, 1960, at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. The original production starred Richard Burton as King Arthur, Julie Andrews as Guinevere, and Robert Goulet as Lancelot. The show was a critical and commercial success, running for over 800 performances and winning four Tony Awards. "If Ever I Would Leave You" has since become a popular standard, with numerous recordings by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Andy Williams. The song's enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless melody and romantic sentiment.

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