Dr. Arne and Rule, BritanniaCummings, William Hayman
History
Dr. Arne and Rule, Britannia
Cummings, William Hayman
Arne, Thomas Augustine, 1710-1778
In 1746, on the 17th of January, a farce, "Miss in her Teens," written
by Garrick, with music by Arne, was produced at Covent Garden Theatre.
On the 31st of January Shakespeare's "Tempest" was revived at Drury
Lane Theatre. The _General Advertiser_ announced the performances,
"Drury Lane. Never Acted there before. By His Majesty's Company of
Comedians. At the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, this Day will be presented
a Play call'd The Tempest, as written by Shakespeare: with the original
Decorations, particularly the Grand Masque, new set to music by Mr.
Arne. The Part of Ariel (with the proper songs) by Mrs. Clive." This
was the birthday of the beautiful melody, "Where the bee sucks," a
song whose freshness and charm never tire, and a tuneful combination
of poetry and music destined to endure so long as the concord of sweet
sounds has the power of touching human hearts.
Another interesting letter from Mrs. Cibber to Garrick, dated 8th of
April, 1746, contains several references to her brother:--"My brother
is to thank you for my playing for him.... Tom Arne sends his service:
he is forced to put his pit and boxes together, which I reckon will
be no advantage to him, ladies' hoops taking up more room than the
difference of price."
In 1748, Mrs. Arne left Drury Lane Theatre, and went to Dublin with her
sister, Mrs. Lampe, a singer of repute and wife of the composer of "The
Dragon of Wantley." Previous reference has been made to Mrs. Arne's
frequent attacks of illness; one of these prevented her undertaking
work in the early part of the Dublin season; and it was not before
the 11th of November that she was able to sing in public. On that day
she took part in Handel's "Esther," "being recovered from her late
illness." She next sang the part of Galatea in Handel's "Acis" on the
18th, and at a repetition performance on the 25th. _Faulkner's Journal_
of Nov. 19-22, reported that "Mrs. Arne (tho' but just recovered
out of a violent Fever) gave entire satisfaction." In the following
December (on the 16th) she sang in Handel's "Solomon"; and on the 7th
of February, 1749, had a benefit concert at the Fishamble Street Music
Hall, when she took the part of Galatea in Handel's "Acis," and she
with her sister, Mrs. Lampe, "introduced several favourite Songs and
Duets."
Arne had a son, born in 1740 or 1741 (Dr. Burney says, he was a
"natural son"), who inherited some of his father's gifts for music.
These were encouraged and developed, and we find, amongst Arne's
compositions, songs composed for the youth, who was introduced to
the public by his father at Marylebone Gardens. Two excellent printed
examples are "Ianthe and Iphis, sung by Master Arne, at Marybon
Gardens"--and "An thou wert mine own Thing, sung by Master Arne at
Marybon Gardens." The youth became well known as a composer and
performer in London and Dublin. One of his songs, popular to-day, "The
lass with a delicate air," is sometimes ascribed in error to his father.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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