I freely admit I love classical music,
And please don't think me a snob
If I keep my composure
When I mention composers
As Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Schumann,
And not Ludie, or Wolfie,
Or Petie, or Bob.
And a symphony simply cannot be enjoyed
At just any old time of the day.
I can't listen to them
Prior to seven p.m.,
And I don't mean to brag, but I couldn't be dragged
To a Wednesday or Saturday matinee
Of a ballet by Bizet or Massenet.
My taste in classical music, you see,
Is eclectic, but not meant to shock.
I choose Strauss for the schmaltz
Of a polka or waltz,
And Chopin is my dude when I crave an etude,
But I do tend to doze in my seat in the loge
Through an opera by Wagner…
Or more Offenbach.
Born in New York of Italian descent-
from childhood on- lasting still all these years,
Deep in my soul live the sounds of lament-
The drama of romance, fear, death, and tears.
The power, the movements, fill up my soul
Like thunder that roars to shake up the night;
So vibrant and flowing, lost in the role,
I listen to grasp each note with delight.
Emotional voices strike at my heart,
I'm filled with a depth I cannot explain-
The beauty, the sadness in every part
Bring stories to life that stir inner pain.
Yes, opera is a big part of me;
My favorites played again and again-
Puccini, Bizet and those of Verdi;
Of Tosca, Carmen, and best, La Boheme.
With musical dramas of life and death-
The singers stir feelings with every word.
Strong voices mingle to deepen my breath;
Emotions rise with each aria heard.
Born in New York of Italian descent-
My family loved and nurtured this art;
played records at home- with happy hours spent
at the Met- where opera lifted my heart.
I’M COMPOSING MYSELF FOR CHRISTMAS
I’ve done all my Christmas CHOPIN
And got everything on my LISZT.
All in all I’ve been frightfully BIZET
And the Christmas break will be BLISS.
I’m away to the VILLA-LOBOS,
In HAYDN until New Year’s Day,
With a girl in my arms who’s mad about BRAHMS
And the note on the HANDEL will say,
“For GOUNOD’S sake do not disturb us
Except for our SUPPE tray
With two glasses of sweet MARTINU
And a bowl of crème BOULEZ.”
The COLE PORTER’S built the fire up,
The TELLEMAN’S tuned in the set,
We’ll POULENC ourselves down on the sofa
And drop ORFF and try to forget.
5th March 2023
Pun Fun poetry contest
Sponsor - Margarita Lillico
Now a favourite,at the top
On first night,a major flop
For its time,a plot too hot-
An early death was Bizet's lot
His Carmen,time has not forgot.
Tribute to Bizet
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