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The History of Timon of Athens, the Man Hater, made into a play by Thomas Shadwell. Of the atrocities committed by the adapter on Shakespeare in this version it is not easy to speak with restraint. Suffice it to say that ten years after the production Shadwell became Poet Laureate! The masque in Act i. is written entirely by Shadwell, with music by +Henry Purcell+. Whether this work comes legitimately within the scope of my theme I am not certain. Undoubtedly the author and composer must have been under the influence of, if not inspired by, Shakespeare: as we have so little music for this strange play, I will therefore make a short analysis of the masque. Julian Marshall, in his foreword to the Purcell {149} Society's edition, says:
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This work was not well calculated to inspire the genius of Purcell. Written to order, and perhaps in some haste, the score is slight in character and design.
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Trumpet Sonata, and is fairly familiar to lovers of Purcell. The duet for two nymphs that follows is preceded by a
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Symphonie of Pipes to imitate birds: this is played on two flutes with a very pretty effect. The bass song,
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Return, revolting rebels, sung by Bacchus, has a fine bold melody; and a slow trio in the minor is in strong contrast to the principal theme. The best chorus is
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Who can resist such mighty charms?
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Curtain tune on a ground, for strings only--by far the most interesting number in the piece. The persistent use of the idiom of