BISHOP'S GLEES AND SONGS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 254, 14 February 1877, Page 2

BISHOP'S GLEES AND SONGS.

BY EXHARMONIA. It is well known that nearly all the vocal compositions of the late Sir Henry Bishop were written for the dramas which he produced in conjunction with the playwrights Terry, Morton, and others. The plays are now nearly all forgotten, as only one of them, " Gny Mannering," has kept its place on the boards. Not so with the graceful songs, glees, and choruses with which they were accompanied. These are still sung, although their origin maybe forgotten. Unfortunately, in separating these pieces from the stories to which they belong, we lose much of their dramatic force and meaning. There are allusions in the words which it is impossible to understand without knowing the play, and even when the words are clear, it is an additional pleasure to know the situation to which they belong. "Guy Mannering" was adapted from Scott's novel of the same name by Daniel Terry, and produced in 1816. It is full of beautiful music that has survived. - The story is simply that of the novel. In the old-fashioned parlor of Mrs. M'Candlish's inn, a party of rustics and others are seated at the table, drinking. They at once strike up the glee— The winds whistle cold, And the stars glimmer red; The flocks are in fold, And the cattle in shed. " A merry, social glee, and well sung, good neighbours," cries the old landlady when they have finished. A flagrant error is often made in the singing of this glee, viz., the pronouncing of the word "winds" with a long i, as if to rhyme with binds. Giving every allowance for poetical license, I see no reason why the

sense should be spoiled by misproftttnciav tion. In the story, Lucy Bertram, Who is homeless and an orphan, is inductd to accept of the libei'al hospitality of hwi father's frienu, Guy Mannering. , Thff funny medley, "The fox leapt over thfe. parson's gate," is inseparable from its place in the drama. It forms the finale to the first act. Dominie Sampson, Miss Mannering, and the chorus take part in it. The Dominie is pro-did-giously overjoyed at the thought of his young mistress going to live with Colonel Mannering, and gives vent to his feelings in a grotesque way, "I do remember me of a catch which I was wont to sing twice a year," he says, "when a bursar of St. Leonard's, St. Andrews, with good up-pro-ba-tion." Then, with many contortions and efforts, forgetting first the words, and then the time, at length, with great bashfulness, he bursts forth— The fox jumpt over the parson's gate And stole his poultry from under his nose ; " A-ha !" quoth the parson, who popt out his pate, "A good fat hen and away she goes. Miss Mannering presses Lucy to accept of lier father's hospitality, with — Calm, lady, calm your troubled breast ! Beneath our roof of friendship rest. The-Dominie, having fairly warmed to his work, ever and anon breaks in with snatches of his rough catch. Afterwards, the chorus joins, but still the Dominie is ridiculously heard in contrast to the great lullaby— Oh, slumber my darling ; Thy sire was a Knight, which is heard frequently during the play. The Echo duet, " Now hope, now fear," is sung by Miss Mannering and her lover, Harry Bertram. Bertram being at the time thought an adventurer, his advances towards Miss Mannering are forbidden by the Colonel. .Henry, however, comes on the lake to her window by night, playing on his flute an air which they both know. She says : "It is the very air he taught me. I'll sing it; if it be he, he will answer." She begins— Now hope, now fear, my bosom rending, Alternate bid each other cease. At the last words, " I'm here," he rushes up the balcony and embraces his beloved. The ever-favorite gipsy glee and chorus, " The Chough and Crow," in the second act, a gipsy camp in the centre of the forest, they are about to set out on their nightly depredations, when Franco, a promising young gipsy boy, sings the first solo—- " The chough and crow to roost are gone and a gipsy girl the second — " Both child and nurse are fast asleep." the remainder of the front taking up the chorus with a hearty good will. Amongst the dramatic pieces of Bishop, there are many of rare value, such as " The Silver Queen," Daughter of Error, hear !'' "Blow fnr the Gales," &c., &c. A number were also written for Shakspearian adaptations, among which are, " What Shall He Have That Killed the Deer," " Spirits, Advance," ;tc. He has also written many non-dramatic glees and songs, amongst which are the gems, "O, by Rivers," "When Wearied Wretches," "I Gave My Harp to Sorrows Hand," " In Tears the Heart Oppressed," and many others of equal worth.