Henry Lawes
Amintor's Welladay
Works Info
Composer:Henry LawesGenre:VocalStyle:Vocal MusicAverage_duration:2:24"Amintor's Welladay" is a song composed by Henry Lawes, a prominent English composer of the 17th century. The song was composed in the early 1650s and was first performed in 1653. It is a part of a larger collection of songs called "Ayres and Dialogues for One, Two, and Three Voyces," which was published in 1653. The song is a lament sung by Amintor, a character from John Fletcher's play "The Maid's Tragedy." The play tells the story of Amintor, who is in love with Evadne, a woman who is forced to marry the king. Amintor is devastated by this turn of events and sings "Amintor's Welladay" as a lament for his lost love. The song is composed in three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement is slow and mournful, with a simple melody that emphasizes the sadness of Amintor's situation. The second movement is more lively and features a more complex melody, reflecting Amintor's anger and frustration at his situation. The final movement returns to the slow, mournful melody of the first movement, as Amintor reflects on his lost love and the tragedy of his situation. Overall, "Amintor's Welladay" is a beautiful and poignant song that captures the emotions of its protagonist perfectly. It is a testament to Lawes' skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both emotionally powerful and musically complex.More....