(Section C)'
(Led by LAURANCE TURNER )
Conducted by LESLIE WOODGATE
NORA GRUHN (soprano)
The old song ' Drink to me only with thine eyes ', the music of which has been acknowledged to be by Dr. Harington of Bath, has been the subject of conflicting opinions in The RADIO TIMES. A recent article spoke of it in terms of praise, very naturally since it has weathered 200 years of use, but some correspondents have declared that the music is hymn-like and practically worthless, while even Ben Jonson 's words have come in for adverse but rather belated criticism. Roger Quilter , who has here harmonised Harington's melody, obviously thinks well of the song, or he would not have touched it. Listeners must therefore judge for themselves. Nora Gruhn who sings it here gives them the opportunity.
King George I was very fond of masquerades on the Thames which, as a popular amusement of those days, were usually organised on a subscription basis. On one occasion he expressed a wish that a concert on the Thames might be planned on similar lines. Baron Kilmanseck, Master of the King's Horse, agreed to put up the money and Handel was commissioned to write the music. The concert was a great success, the river was crowded with barges, and afterwards there was a grand supper at Lord Ranelagh's house at Chelsea. George I was so pleased with the music that he commanded it to be repeated after the supper.