__ twelfth night __
all artwork and audio on this site © 2002 Ben Willmott, all rights reserved.
Twelfth Night
Southampton University Theatre Group did many unusual things with their successful production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. One of them was to ask me to set the songs in a style reminscent of 20s/30s American jazz! In the stage performances the music was supplied by those stalwart professionals The Coconut Scratch Orchestra, and the singing part of Feste was played by a woman, AS a woman! Sadly recordings of the live performances left a lot to be desired in terms of quality, and so the clips here are taken from basic studio recordings I made for Feste to learn her parts from. I make very little attempt at accent :)
Short extracts are presented in mp3 format, or the open source alternative ogg vorbis.
Oh Mistress Mine
Feste the fool entertains Sirs toby and Andrew with a jaunty love song.
Come Away Death
At the court of Count Orsino, Feste sings to ease the pangs of unrequited love that darken the mood of the Count. To my surprise this melancholy setting has proved a favourite... and few of my friends are called Count!
I Am Gone Sir
This verse ends a scene of merriment at the expense of the 'notoriously abused' Malvolio. Although the tune was recycled for the incidental score, the actual verse is so short that you hear it here in its entirety!
When That I Was
When the play is spent and the players departed, Feste brings the performance to a close with this merry song.
Hold Thy Peace
This is the short catch (round) that Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Feste drunkenly bawl in the middle of the night.. attracting the unwanted attentions of Lady Olivia's over-zealous steward Malvolio.
contact Ben at xoorox@yahoo.co.uk
Credits:
All music Ben Willmott. All words Shakespeare or trad. All voices and instruments Ben Willmott. All recording and mastering by Ben Willmott.
© 2002
Ben Willmott
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