The Princess (poem) - Works Based On The Princess

Works Based On The Princess

W. S. Gilbert, perhaps attracted by Tennyson's serio-comic treatment of the subject of women's education, adapted and parodied the poem twice. First, in 1870, he produced a musical farce called The Princess. Later, in 1884, he adapted his farce into a comic opera with composer Arthur Sullivan entitled Princess Ida, which is still performed regularly today.

Other musical works inspired by the poem include a setting of "As through the land" composed by the poet Edward Lear in his lesser-known capacity as a composer. Both Ralph Vaughan Williams and Frank Bridge composed settings for the "Tears, idle tears" section of The Princess. Gustav Holst set "Home they brought her warrior dead." Among later musical works inspired by The Princess are Benjamin Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, which includes a setting of "The splendour falls", and a setting of "Ask me no more" by Ned Rorem.

John Melhuish Strudwick's painting "Oh Swallow, Swallow" is based on this poem.

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