Folksongs in Opera and Theater

Subject: Folksongs in Opera and Theater
From: Alice
Date: 07 May 98 - 03:55 PM

I have been thinking of this topic lately, and the discussion of 'Simple Gifts' and Lord of the Dance reminded me of it.

In opera, there is 'The Last Rose of Summer' in Martha, and 'I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls' in La Boheme.

Anyone else care to contribute to the list? Try opera, broadway musicals, and if you are really stumped, there are lots of movie soundtracks with folksongs.
(I won't try to define what I mean by folksong... just go for it!)

Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Folksongs in Opera and Theater
From: Bert
Date: 07 May 98 - 04:15 PM

I remember once doing some folk dancing in "The Bartered Bride"

Subject: RE: Folksongs in Opera and Theater
From: Bruce O.
Date: 07 May 98 - 05:26 PM

The libretto of La Boheme on the internet doesn't seem to have any English words in it.

Subject: RE: Folksongs in Opera and Theater
From: Bruce O.
Date: 07 May 98 - 05:42 PM

There are lots of folk and old popular tunes in 18th century plays and operas, but not, to the best of my knowledge, any folks songs. Sam Arnold, Jr. rewrote "Our Goodman" for 'Auld Robin Grey' and set it to an old popular tune. Samuel Arnold included many folk tunes and usually gave the original titles of them. Wm. Shield didn't. Kane O'Hara didn't either for the folk tunes in Midas or the Golden Pippin. [For these and others see Roger Fiske, 'English Theatre Music in the 18th Century', 2nd. ed., 1986]

Subject: RE: Folksongs in Opera and Theater
From: Jon W.
Date: 07 May 98 - 05:55 PM

I, too am perplexed by your "La Boheme" reference, Alice. It's the one opera with which I am completely familiar, and I don't remember that song in it anywhere. Or is it just in an English translation of the opera? I imagine it could have been used in the scene where Musetta is giving singing lessons.

Subject: RE: Folksongs in Opera and Theater
From: Bruce O.
Date: 07 May 98 - 06:02 PM

"I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls" is from M. W. Balfe (music) & Alfred Bunn's (lyrics) opera of 'The Bohemian Girl', 1843.
"Tis the last rose of summer", is Thomas Moore's song to a tune he called "The Groves of Blarney", 'Sel'n of Irish Melodies', #5, 1813, an altered version of "Castle Hyde" (in my Irish tune index).
For a tune not noted by Fiske, noted above, see "Pretty Peggy of Derby, O" on my website. There's even a traditional version (U. of Virginia, Alderman Lib., unpublished) of Colman's "Brandy, O/ Landlady of France"

Subject: RE: Folksongs in Opera and Theater
From: Alice
Date: 07 May 98 - 06:10 PM

Sorry, I meant the Bohemian Girl... not La Boheme... I have a migraine today and was trying to distract myself from it with the Mudcat forum while waiting for the phone company technician to show up.... (should have stayed in bed today).

It is hard to think at all let alone think clearly with a migraine.

Yes, the Last Rose of Summer is Thomas Moore's lyrics to an old melody, but it IS in 'Martha' (which is originally written in German).

Alice