Vivien's Song ; from Tennyson's "Idylls of the Bing." Composed
.by John Barnett. "As I sat beneath a Willow ;" Bong in the Old Style ; the words by the Rev. Anthony F. Thomson . composed by Frank-Romer. " Hy Friendly Harp ;" Camiura, composed by Frank Romer. New songs by the_ author of The Mountain Sylph are "like angels' visits, few and far between." And yet John Barnett was once one of the most industrious and fruitful as well as one of the greatest of our Eng- lish composers. It is unfortunate that such a man should sink into inac- tivity while stfllin the strength and vigour of his faculties. A now opera from his pen, produced at our " Royal English Opera," would assuredly be eagerly welcomed by the, public. His song, just published, from ;the Idylls of the King, the poem of the day, is worthy of his -name.
Tennyson's thoughtful and earnest verses are set with congenial feeling; and every one who feels the strength of the words will feel the beauty of the music.
Frank Romer's song, "As I sat beneath a Willow," really is, as the title page describes it, in the Old Style. The verses, on woman's in- constancy, are redolent of the seventeenth century, and the composer has joined them to an air full of pure and beautiful old English melody. His other song, " My Friendly Harp," is flowing and graceful, with an exceedingly brilliant harp accompaniment, which of course may be also played, but with less effect, on the pianoforte.
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