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Robert Herrick's poems are often very arresting. They can be clever, vulgar, witty, sentimental, biting. They are always interesting, and it was difficult to settle on only six of them. But settle I did, and here is a charming set of duets for baritone and alto voices, that I think will be very rewarding and great fun for the performers.
They range from smiling acceptance of one's social position in #1; to a woman's blasting of an unfaithful lover (#4) and his foolish and beautifully Romantic comeback (#5); to a lovely dialogue between Charon, the boatman of Hades, and a nightingale who is requesting passage (#3); to a bit of self-indulgent boasting (#6). The full set was premièred in Vienna in May of 2019, and as a teaser, clicking in the box will allow you to hear #2: "The Parcæ", but only a midi version. The Parcæ are the Fates, who are weaving a timeline for our protagonists, who find them lovely and not fearsome at all. The poem is there too. Notice the 3-part canon to suggest the 3 Fates themselves.
To obtain the full set, please send me an email (below) or visit the Canadian Music Centre. I ask only that if you decide to perform these songs, that you inform me so that I can keep my Performances page up-to-date (few ever do, but I keep asking :)
These are very expressive songs, in my style of dissonant tonality, and they will require good amateur singers at the least.
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