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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Dorothy Vernon is having trouble with her father, because she has refused to marry someone he has chosen for her, but who she doesn't love. With help from some of her servants she arranges to meet secretly with her chosen lover John Manners.

Originally the second act of Haddon Hall contained a duet. However, Arthur and Sydney removed it and replaced it with this lovely solo for Dorothy.

Do we detect a bit of Arthurian (can one use this term outside Camelot¹?) musical mischief in the excitement of the lively Viennese-style waltz section (is there also a touch of the Seine as well as the Danube?) Arthur introduces for "the old song . . ." By the way, is that Gioachino Antonio Rossini winking at us from the back of the first Violins!

Also can you hear Arthur playing his beloved piano within the piece? Feel free to join in . . . 

Why Weep and Wait?

Recitative: "Why Weep and Wait? Why hesitate?
Too soon is better than too late!"
Ah! yes I wait; but do not weep:
Thy love has rocked my tears to sleep.

 - - - - - - - - 

Red of the rose-bud, white of the May,
Why are ye fragrant? Why are ye gay?
Why are ye blithe, as blithe as can be?
Whisper your secret low to me!
Why do ye droop when day is done?
Is it because ye love the sun?
Why do ye smile thro' tears of dew?
Is it because the sun loves you?
Red of the rose-bud, white of the May,
That is your secret, tell me not nay.

Sing the old song that for ever is new,
Ye love your love, and your love loves you.
Sing the old song that for ever is new,
Ye love your love, and your love loves you.

Breast of the robin, why dost thou blush?
Whence is thy music, throat of the thrush?
Why do ye flit from tree to tree?
Warble your secret low to me!
Why do ye roam the sky above?
Is it in search of your true love?
Why do ye build yourselves a nest?
Is it because your love is blest?
Breast of the robin, why dost thou blush?
Where is thy music, throat of the thrush?

Fear not to whisper thy secret to me,
Thou lov'st thy love, and thy love loves thee.
Fear not to whisper thy secret to me,
Thou lov'st thy love, and thy love loves thee.

Red of the rosebud, white hawthorn bush,
Breast of the robin, song of the thrush
I am as happy, as happy as ye,
I love my love, and my love loves me
I love my love . . . 
I love my love, and my love loves me,
My love loves me.

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1.    Footnote: Incidentally, while we're into 'history', if you would like a real good read about Arthurian times and legends, you might like to look at The Once and Future King by T H White (1958 and several later editions) Fontana Books. This contains i. The Sword in the Stone; ii. The Queen of Air and Darkness; iii. The Ill-Made Knight; and iv. The Candle in the Wind. Or you can get The Sword in the Stone published separately by Fontana (1938).See also Alfred Lord Tennyson.  
What's this got to do with G&S? Well let's just say: We're sorry, it's one of MusicSmiles' interesting little digressions! Return to story.

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