A CANTATA for Soli, Chorus and Orchestra
Poem by ALFRED NOYES
Music by S. COLERIDGE-TAYLOR
KATE WINTER (Soprano)
RUBY SHEPPERD (Contralto) SYDNEY COLTHAM (Tenor). SINCLAIR LOGAN (Baritone)
THE STATION CHORUS and THE WIRELESS
AUGMENTED ORCHESTRA, conducted by Capt. W. A. FEATHERSTONE
THE words of A Tale of Old Japan are a poem by Alfred Noyes. This is the story:
Yoichi Tenko , a great painter of peacock islands and dragons, loved his little foster-child, 0 Kimi San. He had many disciples, among them a poor youth, Sawara, who quickly learnt all that Tenko could teach him of painting.
Kimi watched and loved him. Before Tenko sent the youth forth to make his fortune, the two were betrothed. They parted, he to win riches, she to wait.
Three years she waited, while ' far away his growing fame lit the clouds.' Then came a young merchant, bringing gold and asking for the hand of Kimi. Tenko lied to her, saying that Sawara was wedded. Poor Kimi, without a word or cry, left them, and none could find her. At length Sawara came in rich array
' Silver bells on a milk white mule
Rose-red sails on an emerald sea.'
' Kimi ? ' he said.
... Who is she ?
Kimi ? Ah, the child that played
Round the willow-tree. She prayed Often ; and, whate'er I said,
She believed it, Tenko.'
When Sawara went out to paint among the peacock islands, Kimi came to him ' white as a drifting snow-flake' and died in his arms.