February 29 - Gioachino Rossini (This Musical Birthday Series)

Gioachino Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was one of the greatest composers of Italian opera in the early nineteenth century.

Safe Barber

The story is frothy and silly;

The people behave willy-nilly;

It’s easy enough to predict

Each whimsical turn of the script;

The musical is so formulaic

It’s like a harmonic mosaic;

And yet,

The most solemn musician might harbor

A secret affection for Barber.

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February 28 - Geraldine Farrar (The Musical Birthday Series)

Geraldine Farrar (28 February 1882 – 11 March 1967) was a popular and important American operatic soprano.

You’ll Go Farrar

Geraldine Farrar,

Operatic star,

Navigated snares

In personal affairs,

Indulging her yen

For other women’s men.

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February 27 - Hubert Parry (The Musical Birthday Series)

Hubert Parry (27 February 1848 – 7 October 1918) was an important British composer, teacher and music historian, a few of whose compositions maintain a place in the choral repertoire.

 

Trust and Parry

Hubert Parry, true Victorian,

Composer, teacher, and historian,

Had a belief, without compunction

In music’s edifying function.

If, perhaps, the thought is floated

That his works are dull and bloated,

Remember Queen Victoria’s notion

That things go better with devotion.

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February 26 - Frank Bridge (The Musical Birthday Series)

Frank Bridge (26 February 1879 – 10 January 1941) was a British composer and violist.

Over Troubled Waters

Alas, Frank Bridge is hardly known

   For anything he’s written --

Remembered for the fact alone

   Of mentoring young Britten.

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