Johan Helmich Roman (1694-1758)

The Happy Man. "I envy not Sir Courtly Nice"

HRV 865

Print

[1.] I envy not Sir Courtly Nice
[2.] The World and its Superiour Joys
[3.] My books, my Gardens

  • Year of composition: 1736? about 1727/1728? (according to)
  • Work category: Voice and other instruments
  • Duration: Approx. 1-5 min

Instrumentation

cont. (no figures)

Solo voices/choir

soprano

  • Location autograph: Musik- och teaterbiblioteket
  • Possible call no. and autograph comment: Ro:85, Ro:78b

Literature

Holm, Anna Lena: Tematisk förteckning över J.H. Romans vokalverk. Musikaliska akademiens bibliotek (1994)

Description of work

[1.] Gayement [sic] G major 3/8
[2.] Allegro - Tempo giusto G minor 2/4
[3.] Vivace G major alla breve


Work comment

Authenticated work (according to Holm)

"Sir Courtly Nice or; It Cannot Be. A Comedy. Written by Mr. Crown" was published in London in 1711 "for the Company of Booksellers". In the play Sir Courtly Nice is portrayed as someone who is too meticulous as far as his attire etc. is concerned. [Whether Roman refers to this character, however, has not been established.]


Libretto/text

[1.] I envy not Sir Courtly Nice
secure from Pomp and free from Vice 

[2.] The World and its Superiour Joys
consists in Hurrey

[3.] My books, my Gardens, fields
and fare are all my pleasures