THE WIRELESS MILITARY BAND, conducted by JOHN ANSELL
OLIVE STURGESS (Soprano)
HERBERT PARKER (Baritone)
DVORAK'S Carnival is the second of three
Overtures which the Composer originally planned as Symphonic Movements, to illustrate three phases of life-Childhood, Youth and Manhood (or, as another interpretation of the scheme has it, Nature, Life and Love).
We may regard Carnival as a picture of lusty youth, rejoicing in the exciting fullness of life. The dashing style of the opening work conveys that idea vividly, In the middle is a happily contrasted slow section.
A BALLET used to be indispensable in an Opera, and Gounod, a master at writing such light and joyous music, duly brought in some dances in Romeo and Juliet—in Capulet's garden, at Verona. Amongst a gay throng move pedlars selling jewellery. Hence a Jewel Dance. Country folk come in, bringing posies, and a Flower Waltz follows. A countryman and his girl next execute the Dance of the Fiancie : An Invitation. Next follows the Dance of the Young Veiled Girl. The final fling is a Gipsy Dance.