Setting things to music
This evening to a concert which included Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem (1936), which, besides various Biblical texts and quite a bit of Walt Whitman, includes John Bright's 1855 Angel of Death speech: The Angel of Death has been abroad throughout the land; you may almost hear the beating of his wings. There is no one, as when the first-born were slain of old, to sprinkle with blood the lintel and the two side-posts of our doors, that he may spare and pass on. (Speech before the House of Commons opposing the Crimean War, 23 February 1855)
which is according to the programme notes the only time a speech in Parliament has been set to music.
AP Herbert certainly made speeches in rhyme, but I do not think he sang them.
Enquiring minds, however, wonder if this really is the only instance (has no-one, e.g. written an opera featuring Oliver Cromwell - 'Take away that bauble' 'For God's sake, go!' etc).
And notices in the Tube on the way home, poster for a musical version of The Go-Between. WTF. It does not immediately strike me as a tale that cries out for musical interventions. Okay, there is a scene at a village concert, but that stands out. This entry was originally posted at http://oursin.dreamwidth.org/2447935.html. Please comment there using OpenID. View
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