Tuesday, October 25, 2022

October 25 - Thomas Weelkes; Georges Bizet (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for October 25th are here: Georges Bizet (2019), Johann Strauss, Jr (2020), and Barbara Cook (2021)

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Thomas Weelkes (bapt. 25 October 1576 – 30 November 1623) was an English composer and organist,  chiefly remembered for his vocal music.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merrie Olde Englande


"Dyvers tymes & very often come so disguised eyther from the Taverne or Ale house into the quire as is muche to be lamented, for in these humoures he will bothe curse & sweare most dreadfully, & so profane the service of God … and though he hath bene often tymes admonished … to refrayne theis humors and reforme hym selfe, yett he daylye continuse the same, & is rather worse than better therein." – report on Weelkes to his Bishop in 1619


“Dyvers times & very often”

Thomas Weelkes did “sweare & curse”.

Nothing could be done to soften

His bad behavior; it got worse.


The way he acted in the “quire”

Was very much to be lamented,

And as was known throughout the shire

His every breath was Taverne-scented.

 

 

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Georges Bizet (25 October 1838 – 3 June 1875) was a composer whose Carmen is one of the mainstays of the standard repertoire.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tragédie lyrique


I’m sad to say that Georges Bizet

Died in sadness and dismay,

   Thinking Carmen was a flop.

He didn’t live to see the day

When Carmen and her Don José 

    Ruled the canon from the top.

 

 

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