Composer

:

Arthur Sullivan

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1863

Publication Date

:

1866

Average_duration

:

3:27

"Orpheus with His Lute" is a song composed by Arthur Sullivan, with lyrics by William Shakespeare. The song was composed in 1866 and premiered on May 9th of the same year at the Crystal Palace in London. It is a part of Sullivan's incidental music for Shakespeare's play "Henry VIII." The song is a solo for a tenor voice and is divided into three movements. The first movement is slow and melancholic, with a simple piano accompaniment. The second movement is more lively and features a faster tempo, with the piano taking on a more prominent role. The final movement returns to the slower tempo of the first movement, with the piano providing a gentle and delicate accompaniment. The lyrics of the song are taken from Shakespeare's play "Henry VIII," specifically from Act III, Scene 1. The song is sung by the character of Orpheus, who is a musician and poet in Greek mythology. In the play, Orpheus sings the song to calm the spirits of the angry mob that has gathered outside the palace gates. The song is characterized by its simple and elegant melody, which perfectly captures the melancholic and soothing mood of the lyrics. The piano accompaniment is also notable for its delicate and understated quality, which allows the tenor voice to shine through. Overall, "Orpheus with His Lute" is a beautiful and timeless piece of music that showcases Sullivan's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of Shakespeare's words in his music.

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