Pyramus and Thisbe · Opera
Songs in Pyramus and Thisbe
This page features the songs from Pyramus and Thisbe. Song cards link to details such as style, context, vocal notes, and audition cut suggestions when available. Explore the list below to access song guides.
The scene breakdown below is given from the edition by Peter Holman, 1995.
‘Are the properties and everything ready for the performance?’ - Master, Prompter, Semibrief, 1st Gentleman
‘If we offend, it is with our good will’ - Prologue, 1st Gent, 2nd Gent
Overture
‘Who comes here?’ - 1st Gent, Semibrief
Recitative ‘In this same interlude’ - Wall
The Wall’s Song 'The Wretched Sighs And Groans' - Wall
‘Who would desire lime and hair to sing better?’ - 2nd Gent, 1st Gent, Semibrief
Recitative ‘O grim-looked night’ - Pyramus
Aria 'And Thou, O Wall' - Pyramus
Recitative ‘Thanks, courteous wall’ - Pyramus
Aria 'O Wicked Wall' - Pyramus
‘The wall methinks, being sensible, should curse again’ - 1st Gent, Semibrief
Recitative ‘The promised joys that lovers feel’ - Thisbe
Aria 'Fly, Swift Good Time' - Thisbe
‘O Wall, full often hast thou heard’ - Thisbe, Pyramus
Whispering Duet 'Not Shafalus to Procrus’ - Thisbe, Pyramus
Recitative ‘O kiss me through the hole of this vile wall’ - Pyramus, Thisbe
Duet 'I Go Without Delay' - Pyramus, Thisbe
Recitative ‘Thus have I, Wall, my part discharged so’ - Wall
‘Now is the mural down between the two neighbours’ - 1st Gent, 2nd Gent, Semibrief
Recitative ‘You ladies, you whose gentle hearts do fear’ - Lion
Aria 'Ladies Don't Fright You' - Lion
‘A very gentle beast, and of a good conscience’ - 1st Gent, 2nd Gent, Semibrief
Recitative ‘This lanthorn doth the horned Moon present’ - Moon, 2nd Gent, 1st Gent
Aria 'The Man In The Moon I Am, Sir' - Moon
‘I am weary of this moon’ - 1st Gent, 2nd Gent, Moon
Recitative ‘This is old Ninny’s tomb’ - Thisbe
Aria 'Where Is My Love, My Pyre Dear' - Thisbe
‘O! O! O! O!’ - Lion, Thisbe, 1st Gent, 2nd Gent
Arioso 'Sweet Moon, I Thank Thee' - Pyramus
Recitative ‘But stay, O spite!’ - Pyramus
Aria 'Approach, Ye Furies Fell' - Pyramus
‘This passion - and the death of a dear friend’ - 1st Gent, 2nd Gent, Semibrief
‘Recitative ‘O wherefore, nature, didst thou lions frame’ - Pyramus
Arioso ‘Come tears, confound’ - Pyramus
Aria 'Now I Am Dead' - Pyramus
‘So, there’s an end of Pyramus’ - 1st Gent, 2nd Gent, Semibrief
Recitative ‘Asleep, my love?’ - Thisbe
Aria 'These Lily Lips' - Thisbe
‘Moonshine and Lion are left to bury the dead’ - 1st Gent, 2nd Gent, Semibrief
Dance
Epilogue, Recitative ‘Gentlemen and ladies, we’ve a boon to ask’ - Pyramus, Thisbe
Duet 'Thus Folding, Beholding' - Pyramus, Thisbe
Chorus ‘Now, e’er you remove’ - Tutti
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.