Poet: Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891)
Source: Les Illuminations
Date of Composition: 1939 (Oct. 9)
Publication: Boosey & Hawkes, 1944
Voice Difficulty Level: Difficult
Subject: A descriptive scene of a parade of savages.
Range: G3 – A5 (C#4 – A5)
Tessitura: G4 – D5
Tempo: Alla marcia; 2/2
Duration: 02:50
Vocal Characteristics: Quick and wordy; ascending chromatic motion; octave leaps; full extent of vocal range; expansive full-bodied phrases alternate with syllabic, speech-like phrases;
Piano Difficulty Level: Difficult
Accompaniment Characteristics: Piano reduction by the composer; running triplet figures in both hands in varying directions; tremolo; chromatic scales; right hand counter melody in octaves; rhythmic challenge
Additional Comments: Britten Thematic Catalog http://www.brittenproject.org/works/BTC867