Show Synopsis:
This mini-opera shows how four lovers from Athens end up lost in the woods, and the fairies who live intervene on their affairs for their own amusement. Eventually they restore order to both the Athenian and fairy kingdoms.
Character:
Chinese Woman
Song Context:
This section belongs to the epithalmamium (poem written for a bride going to her wedding chamber) that concludes the semi-opera and celebrates the joys of the world. Hymen sings in praise of married bliss, representing all the happily married couples who have found their true loves, and also the anniversary of King William and Queen Mary's marriage in Purcell's time.
Fun Facts:
1) This semi-opera is based on William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream but uses no Shakespearean text.
2) This character was meant to be an homage to Queen Mary's collection of china, so that this song was a celebration of Queen Mary's interests outside of her kingdom.
"Hark! hark! the echoing air a triumph sing,
hard! the echoing air a triumph sings,
a triumph sings, a triumph sings,
a triumph sings, a triumph, triumph sings,
a triumph, triumph sings.
Hark! hark! the echoing air a triumph sing,
hard! the echoing air a triumph sings,
a triumph sings, a triumph sings,
a triumph sings, a triumph, triumph sings,
a triumph, triumph sings.
And all around, and all around,
pleas'd Cupids clap their wings,
clap their wings, clap their wings,
pleas'd Cupid clap their wings,
and all around, and all around,
pleas'd Cupids clap, clap, clap their wings,
clap their wings, clap their wings, clap their wings,
pleas'd Cupids clap their wings.
And all around, and all around,
pleas'd Cupids clap their wings,
clap their wings, clap their wings,
pleas'd Cupid clap their wings,
and all around, and all around,
pleas'd Cupids clap, clap, clap their wings,
clap their wings, clap their wings, clap their wings,
pleas'd Cupids clap their wings."