KATHLYN HILLIARD (Soprano)
HARRY BRINDLE (Bass)
THE WIRELESS MILITARY BAND
Conducted by B. WALTON O'DONNELL
MOZART'S air is sung by the page Cherubino, who, though he is in love with the Countess, is flirting with her maid. He steals from her a ribbon that belongs to the Countess, and placates the maid by giving her a song he has written about her mistress.
T ULLY (1633-1687) was a poor Italian youth who was taken to France when quite young. Ho began his working life as a kitchen scullion, and was lucky enough to gain the favour of the young King, Louis XIV , who made him leader of his band. Being as clever a courtier as he became a composer, he found out that the French liked Ballets and graceful Operas, and pleased them by writing plenty of these, himself acting and dancing in some of them.
Sombre woods (Bois Epais) comes from the tragedy Amadis, one of Lully's late works.
IN the last Act of Puccini's Opera, Mimi lies dying in the garret where live the Bohemians. She needs food and medicine, and Colline, one of the band, determines to sell his overcoat to get them. In this air he bids the old garment a sad farewell.
THE Song of Penitence is a heartfelt cry for pity upon the sinner who has offended against God's law. Then comes a mood of comfort, as the penitent, remembering God's promises of mercy, feels his heart lighten, and believes that he may yet redeem himself and win again God's favour.