Composer

:

Libby Larsen

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

2001

First Performance

:

Jan 19, 2001

Average_duration

:

15:24

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

"Try Me, Good King: Last Words of the Wives of Henry VIII" is a song cycle composed by Libby Larsen in 1993. The premiere of the work was on March 7, 1993, at the Ordway Music Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota. The cycle consists of six movements, each representing the final words of one of Henry VIII's six wives. The first movement, "Katherine of Aragon," is a lament in which Katherine reflects on her life and her love for Henry. The second movement, "Anne Boleyn," is a defiant statement in which Anne proclaims her innocence and accuses Henry of injustice. The third movement, "Jane Seymour," is a prayer in which Jane asks for forgiveness and mercy. The fourth movement, "Anne of Cleves," is a humorous reflection in which Anne comments on her brief marriage to Henry and her relief at its end. The fifth movement, "Catherine Howard," is a confession in which Catherine admits to her sins and begs for mercy. The final movement, "Catherine Parr," is a reflection in which Catherine contemplates her life and her legacy. The characteristics of the work are its emotional intensity and its exploration of the inner lives of these historical figures. Larsen's music is expressive and dramatic, with each movement reflecting the personality and situation of the wife it represents. The cycle is also notable for its use of text, which is drawn from historical sources and gives voice to these women who are often overlooked in history. Overall, "Try Me, Good King: Last Words of the Wives of Henry VIII" is a powerful and moving work that explores the lives and experiences of these six women in a unique and compelling way.

More....