#Shakespeare400 "Midsummer" song

[Donna]

As #Shakespeare400 continues, Shakespeare Saturdays is delighted to roll out an ensemble song this month!  The text is Oberon’s last monologue in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” which, when set to music, becomes a wedding song that celebrates the 3 couples that marry in the play.  I thought it would be fun to give some musical lines to Puck and one of Titania’s Fairies for lush harmonies.  The YouTube recording features Josh Alexander, Clara Barton Green, and Ray Allen Fritz, as they sing Shakespeare’s words to the music composed by Donna Stearns.

To Purchase the Sheet Music:

Buy your copy for $5 via PayPal via this link to Donna’s “Now, Until the Break of Day” Page- http://www.moonbeam.net/dks/composer-shakespeare-NUTBOD.shtml (If clicking the link doesn’t take you to this Music Page, just copy/paste into your browser.) 

The high and low notes of all 3 vocal parts don’t appear on a single page, so the sample page next to the video clip is the title page.  The YouTube recording is in the key of C Major reflecting these vocal ranges:

Soprano:  D (whole step above Middle C) up to High G

Tenor or Mezzo (optional):  D (whole step above Middle C) up to the 2^nd E above Middle C – the vocal range is a 9^th

Baritone:  Low G up to D (whole step above Middle C)

If you prefer a different key, please email do...@moonbeam.net to make a key request.  Once payment is received, you’ll receive a Vocal-Piano arrangement PDF to your email address as well as an mp3.  The music is written out but also has chords above the staves.  (Please note that the mp3 is only available in the recorded key of C major even though the sheet music can be transposed to any key.)

Hope you enjoy the music, and please spread the word, and thank you for your support!

Now, until the break of day,

Through this house each fairy stray.

To the best bride-bed will we,

Which by us shall blessed be;

And the issue, there create,

Ever shall be fortunate.

So shall all the couples three

Ever true in loving be;

And the blots of Nature’s hand

Shall not in their issue stand;

Never mole, hare-lip, nor scar,

Nor mark prodigious, such as are

Despised in nativity,

Shall upon their children be.

With this field-dew consecrate,

Every fairy take his gait,

And each several chamber bless,

Through this palace, with sweet peace,

And the owner of it blest

Ever shall in safety rest.

Trip away; make no stay;

Meet me all by break of day.

 

About #Shakespeare400:

2016 marks 400 years since William Shakespeare’s death, and worldwide, this great playwright is being celebrated through his plays, adaptations, inspired works, exhibits, and music.  Shakespeare Saturdays is participating by offering sheet music to Shakespeare songs– with music composed by Donna Stearns, Resident Composer and set to Shakespeare text.  

Here’s to Shakespeare!