Poet: Henry Constable (1562-1613)
Source: single song
Date of Composition: 1929 (4 Sept.)
Publication: manuscript; not available for performance
Voice Difficulty Level: Moderate
Subject: Love song to Diaphenia
Range: D#3 – F#4 (opt. A4)
Tessitura: F#3 – C#4
Tempo: Moderato con animando (Allegretto in faircopy); 4/4
Duration: 02:25
Vocal Characteristics: Phrases rise and fall; requires pitch independence; rubato; approachable, text-based melody; some chromaticism; opt. A4 is indicated pp
Piano Difficulty Level: Moderate
Accompaniment Characteristics: Chordal; some treble clef arpeggiation
Additional Comments: Britten indicates the piece was written for tenor; modified strophic poetic form. According to correspondence between the authors and the Britten-Pears Foundation this manuscript is in preparation for publication.