In William Shakespeare's play "The Winter's Tale", Mamillus, the son of Hermione, says " A sad tale's best for winter", when his mother asks him to sit with her and tell her a tale.
The WINTER'S TALE therefore is a sad play but with a happy ending, and is classified as one of Shakespearse's comedies.
This concert overture is intended to portray the story of the play in music. To assist in the interpretation of the work and to stimulate interest, a synopsis has been incorporated in the score and parts.
The movements are as follows :
1. A Sad tale's Best for Winter
2. Leontes, Hermiobe and Polixines
3. Leontes jealousy and mounting rage.
4. Perdita
5. Perdita and the Shepherd
6. Return of Perdita, Florizel and the Shepherd to Sicilia
7. Paulina presents statue of Hermoine to Leontes
8. Disclosure of the Living Hermoine to Leontes
9. Reconciliation and General Rejoicing.
