National Orchestra of Wales
(Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Cymru)

The scene is the garden of Margaret's house. Siebel, Margaret's youthful admirer, has left a simple little posy of flowers on her door-step, and then Faust has come in with Mephistopheles, and has sung his beautiful meditation on the place where his beloved dwells. Mephistopheles, whom he had bidden to leave him alone, has returned, bringing a handsome casket of jewels and an elaborate bouquet with which he replaces Siebel's simple posy, and the two withdraw. Margaret comes in through the wicket gate, and, dreaming of the handsome stranger who had spoken to her, she sits at her spinning wheel and sings the simple old ballad of the King of Thule, interrupting it by thoughts of the unknown gallant. Then, as she is about to enter her house, she comes on the casket of jewels and, hesitatingly at first, opens it. Though she cannot be sure that a gift so costly can really be meant for her, she decks herself out with the gems, and then, admiring her reflection in the handglass which is in the casket, breaks into the brilliant Jewel Song. Its striking effect is always enhanced by its contrast with the simplicity of the ballad which she has just sung, and something of the success of the brilliant air, when well sung, depends, too, on the fact that it is almost the first time in the opera that a solo soprano voice has been heard.

A Couple of Cast-Ups
by C. W. Miles
'Erb, an A.B. Seaman
Dai, a Ship's Stoker
Both characters will be taken by the Author.

In spite of its name, this is a full-sized orchestral Overture, in every way dignified and important music, although its themes are all favourite nursery rhymes, and though the music is throughout in the brightest and gayest of spirits. Although it is as a song writer that Roger Quilter is best known to us, particularly by his melodious settings of many Shakespeare songs, he has more than once made it clear that he is no less a master of his craft when dealing with the orchestra. The same qualities of fresh natural melody, can be heard throughout this lighthearted Overture as in his songs. The old nursery rhymes on which it is built up are:-
'Boys and Girls, come out to play.'
'Upon Paul's steeple stands a tree.'
'Dame, get up and bake your pies.'
'I saw three ships come sailing by.'
'Sing a song of sixpence.'
'There was a lady loved a swine.'
'Over the hills and far away.'
'The frog and the crown.'
'A frog he would a-wooing go.'
Baa, baa, black sheep.'
Here we go round the mulberry bush.'
'Oranges and Lemons.'