Dr. Arne and Rule, BritanniaCummings, William Hayman
History
Dr. Arne and Rule, Britannia
Cummings, William Hayman
Arne, Thomas Augustine, 1710-1778
Happily Garrick did not accede to Arne's requests, and much of
Purcell's music was left in the Masque. Arne composed a new Overture
in which he introduced an imitation on the flute of the call of the
"Cuckow." The whole of the first Act, including the famous "Come, if
you dare," was left with Purcell's music untouched. In the second Act
there were several changes; a new recitative, both words and music,
"Alas, the horrors of this bloody field," was sung by Mrs. Baddeley.
This, and a new air, "O peace descend," were composed by Arne; "the
music ill match'd" that of Purcell. Before the chorus, "Come follow
me," Arne introduced a solo "on the subject of Purcell's chorus,
in which he took care to write a goodly number of runs to show off
Mrs. Baddeley's execution." A new song by Arne, "How blest are the
shepherds," was substituted for Purcell's solo and chorus, and Mrs.
Baddeley was provided with a recitative, "We must work, we must haste,"
followed by an air, "To virtue with rapture," and also "Thus I infuse
these sov'reign dews." Mrs. Wrighten had new music composed for her,
a recitative, "Oh sight," and an air, "'Tis sweet the blushing morn
to view." It may be noted that the words of these pieces were written
by Garrick. The third Act, with Purcell's masterly "Frost Scene," was
left intact. In the fourth Act Purcell's lovely duet, "Two daughters
of this aged stream," also the solo and chorus, "How happy the lover,"
were retained. The music of the fifth Act included Purcell's "Fairest
Isle all Isles excelling." The final air and chorus, "Saint George the
Patron of our Isle," had new music by Arne.
There are some entries in the "Mawhood"[21] diary referring to Dr.
Arne in 1770: "13 June, Call^{d}. on Dr. Arne who will compose some
music for Mr. Pemberton's Diurge." "23^{d}. Call^{d}. on D^{r}. Arne
had a small practtice of the Service, for Mr. Pemberton." "28{th}. Was
at Church, perform^{d} Dr. Arne and Webb's Burial for my poor friend
Franc^{s}. Pemberton."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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