Tomorrow we pay tribute to one of the greatest writers of the English language, William Shakespeare. His words and ideas continue to inspire and touch us. His uncanny ability to dissect human nature and show it at its best and worst has led to numerous musical compositions.
Here is a sampling of music based on his plays:
Berlioz, Hector. Beatrice & Benedict Overture
Dvorak, Antonin. Othello Overture
Elgar, Edward. Falstaff, op. 69
Finzi, Gerald. Love's Labor Lost
Korngold, Erich Wolfgang. Much Ado About Nothing Suite, op. 11
Purcell, Henry. Fairy Queen
Quilter, Roger. Three Shakespeare Songs
Raff, Joachim. Overture to The Tempest
Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilich. Hamlet Fantasy Overture
"Music oft hath such a charm
To make bad good, and good provoke to harm."
Measure for Measure (4.1.14)
