Composer

:

Roger Quilter

Genre

:

Vocal

Average_duration

:

1:58

"Tell Me Where is Fancy Bred" is a song composed by Roger Quilter, an English composer of the early 20th century. The song was composed in 1922 and premiered in the same year. It is a part of his song cycle "Five Shakespeare Songs," which is a collection of songs based on the texts of William Shakespeare's plays. The song has a slow and dreamy tempo, with a gentle and flowing melody. It is written in the key of F major and has a time signature of 4/4. The song has a simple and elegant piano accompaniment that complements the vocal line. The song is divided into two main sections, with a short introduction and coda. The first section is in a minor key and has a melancholic and introspective mood. The lyrics describe the search for the source of love and beauty, asking "Tell me where is fancy bred, or in the heart or in the head?" The second section is in a major key and has a more optimistic and joyful mood. The lyrics describe the discovery of love and beauty, stating "It is engendered in the eyes, with gazing fed." The song is characterized by its lyrical and expressive vocal line, which requires a skilled singer to convey the emotional depth of the lyrics. The song also showcases Quilter's skillful use of harmony and melody to create a rich and nuanced musical texture. Overall, "Tell Me Where is Fancy Bred" is a beautiful and poignant song that captures the essence of Shakespeare's poetry and Quilter's musical style. It is a testament to the enduring power of both Shakespeare's words and Quilter's music.

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