Description
For two singers and orchestra .
Lyrics by Edward Lear
I had the urge to write something comical, something to laugh about, something happy and jolly.
For this I chose five limericks from 'A book of Nonsense'. These five '; There was stories are about three men and two women, and all have something to do with birds. When I started to write these duets I thought nothing more than to write something
humoresque. But this changed after occupying myself with these poems.
I suddenly had the feeling and vision that after writing the last note to the last song 'There was an young lady whose bonnet' that there is more than meets the eye to
these simple nonsense poems. They have a deeper meaning, especially this last song, is more of a serious nature and has a slight melancholic character. This work is about five people who are different, eccentric, creative and unusual. It is about people that are not always understood and accepted. They are made fun off and laughed at. It is like a clown in costume, hiding his more serious side behind a mask and exaggerating things. The man with the over large beard, the man with the too long nose could resemble people that look different but are happy in themselves and do not bother too much what others think.
The old man of Dunbree is an eccentric person who is convinced he can tame his owls and the lady of France is obsessed with her ducks. The young lady who loves
to wear an oversized bonnet does not care what others think. Perhaps there is a lesson to learn here. Lets take each other for what we are and accept each other's looks and talents.
With the help of the short overture and four Interludes, the two singers speaking the extra verses from Edward Lear's self portrait, including any comments, short
discussions and acting, a whole story can be created.
I have left the actual discussions and acting to the individual performers.