Arne, Thomas Augustine. (1710-1778)
Two Shakespeare Song Settings: "Where The Bee Sucks" and "The Cuckow."
London: Publisher unknown.. [c. 1780]. Engraved, each 1 p. trimmed and rebacked.. Two rare songs from the English composer, the most significant figure in 18th-century English theatre music. "Where the Bee Sucks" [from "The Tempest"]; "The Cuckow. Sung by Mrs. Jordan in As you like it.""By 1738 Arne was one of the leaders of musical life in London. That year he was one of the founder-members of the Society (later Royal Society) of Musicians, along with Handel, Boyce and Pepusch...In the theatrical season 1740–41 he composed music for the Drury Lane productions of The Tempest, As You Like It, Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice, including songs such as ‘Where the bee sucks’ and ‘Under the greenwood tree’ that have never been surpassed or forgotten since they were written." (Grove Online)
The Mrs. Jordan referred to in "The Cuckow" printing, was the Irish-born actress Dorothy (or Dorothea) Jordan (1762-1816), perhaps the most famous eighteenth century Rosalind, and the celebrated mistress of the Duke of Clarence - later King William IV - by whom she had ten children. Well known for playing comic tomboy roles, Mrs. Jordan played Rosalind from 1778 to 1814. (1796)
Printed Music Song