Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, CompleteVarious
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, Complete
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
If our musical composers would attend more closely than they have been
in the habit of doing, to the minutiæ of the scene which is intrusted to
them to illustrate, and study the delicate lights and shades of human
nature, as we behold it nightly on the Surrey stage, we might
confidently hope, at no very distant period, to see melo-drama take the
lofty position it deserves in the histrionic literature of this country.
We feel that there is a wide field here laid open for the exercise of
British talent, and have therefore, made a few desultory mems. on the
subject, which we subjoin; intended as modest hints for the guidance of
composers of melodramatic music. The situations we have selected from
the most popular Melos. of the day; the music to be employed in each
instance, we have endeavoured to describe in such a manner as to render
it intelligible to all our readers.
Music for the entrance of a brigand in the dark, should be slow and
mysterious, with an effective double bass in it.
Ditto, for taking winean allegro, movement, with da capo for the second
glass.
Ditto, for taking porter, beer, or any other inferior swipesa similar
movement, but not con spirito.
Ditto, for the entrance of an attorneya coda in one sharp, 6-8 time. If
accompanied by a client, an accidental flat may be introduced.
Ditto, for discovering a lost babbya simply affettuoso strain, in a
minor key.
Ditto, for recognising a disguised counta flourish of trumpets, and
three bars rest, to allow time for the countess to faint in his arms.
Ditto, for concealing a lover in a closet, and the sudden appearance of
the father, guardian, or husband, as the case may bea prestissimo
movement, with an agitated cadenza.
Ditto, for taking an oath or affidavitslow, solemn music, with a marked
emphasis when the deponent kisses the book.
Ditto, for a lovers vowa tender, broken adagio.
Ditto, for kicking a low comedy mana brisk rapid stoccato passage, with
a running accompaniment on the kettle-drums.
The examples we have given above will sufficiently explain our views;
but there are a vast number of dramatic situations that we have not
noticed, which might be expressed by harmonious sounds, such as music
for the appearance of a dun or a devilmusic for paying a tailormusic
for serving a writmusic for an affectionate embracemusic for ditto,
very warmmusic for faintingmusic for coming-tomusic for the death of
a villain, with a confession of bigamy; and many others too numerous to
mention; but we trust from what we have said, that the subject will not
be lost sight of by those interested in the elevation of our national
drama.
THE RISING SUN. The residence of Sir Robert Peel has been so besieged of
late by place-hunters, that it has been aptly termed the New Post
Office.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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