Contempt, Farewell!

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Commissioned By

Micah Patt

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First Performance

April 2023

 

Ensemble

Soprano and Piano

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Duration

2 minutes

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Program Notes

This piece was commissioned in the Fall of 2022 for this lecture recital, and the text is from William Shakespeare’s original comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. The speech closes Act III, Scene I of the play, and it is the first time Beatrice sheds her witty exterior to reveal her willingness to love Benedick. After hearing her sister, Hero, and Ursula gossipping about Benedick’s true feelings for Beatrice, she realizes that their witty banter and disparaging remarks only reinforce their passion for one another. 

Micah Patt, 2023

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Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing, William Shakespeare

What fire is in mine ears?

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Can this be true?

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Stand I condemn'd for pride and scorn so much?

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Contempt, farewell! And maiden pride, adieu!

No glory lives behind the back of such.

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And, Benedick, love on: I will requite thee, 

Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand:

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If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee

To bind our loves up in a holy band;

For others say thou dost deserve, and I

Believe it better than reportingly.