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I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls
(1843)
Composer:
Michael W. Balfe (1808-1870)
Arrangement:
Elizabeth DiPietri
Michael Balfe, whose biography appears in a link
below, was an Irish composer who wrote English operettas
in the manner of those of Gilbert and Sullivan. Of his
dozens of works, his most notable and popular operetta
was The Bohemian Girl, published in London in 1843. It was first
performed at the renowned Drury Theatre. The full story
of this work is discussed in detail in one of the
historical links. Here, mention is made of the fact that
the most outstanding song of this operetta was an aria
sung by Arline, a gypsy girl, and having the title I
Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls. It is sometimes
referred to as The
Gypsy Girl’s Song.
As you hear this song, with its many tone
inflections, you may understand that its enduring
popularity was partially due to its long use by voice
teachers in singing classes. We
consider it to be an example of semi-classical music of
the Victorian period.
♫♫♫
Elizabeth’s
dulcimer arrangement in the key of A centers the melody
quite well on the fretboard and helps simplify the
fingering of both melody and chords. One feature of this
music and its embellishment is the use of “grace
notes”, as seen in measures eight and sixteen. These
are the miniature sixteenth notes that precede the
first note of each of these measures. In theory “grace
notes” have no time value, but are simply inserted to
add a wavering effect to the melody. They are quite
common for Irish tunes played on the pennywhistle. On the dulcimer, you will need to insert these notes
quickly using a “pull-off” finger technique.
♫♫♫
Download files:
I
Dream't I Dwelt in Marble Halls.pdf
I_Dreamt_I_Dwelt_In_Marble_Halls.tef
I
Dream't I Dwelt in Marble Halls.mid
Historical
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bohemian_Girl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Balfe
www.james-joyce-music.com/sndclips/song03_clip.html
Picture
at the top: "Gypsy Girl with a Basque Drum"
(1867)
painted
by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905)
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