MIDI Files

These MIDI files were sequenced by Colin Johnson. See our MIDI home page for information on listening to MIDI files.

These songs were composed by Lionel Monckton, EXCEPT that songs 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 15 through 18, and 22 were composed by Howard Talbot.

The full set of MIDI files can also be downloaded as a ZIP file.

The MP3 links go to short excerpts of these songs recorded by the Victor Light Opera Company in 1909.

ACT I -   Arcadia.

• No. 1 - Introduction & Opening Chorus, with solos - "Arcadians are we, Dame Nature blest our birth..."
• No. 2 - Song - Father Time & Chorus - "Since the days before the flood, when the world was mainly mud..."
• No. 3 - Quartet - Sombra, Chrysaea, Strephon & Astrophel - "The shadow-dappled mead is sweet with scent of thyme..."
• No. 4 - Chorus of Fear - "Look, what hovers there above us, hanging on a gigantic wing! ..."
• No. 5 - Song - Sombra - "With a melody enthralling, loud the woodland echoes ring..." [MP3 File]
• No. 6 - Chorus - "All a lie!   All a lie! ..."
• No. 7 - Finale Act I - "To all and each, where sin is rife, we go to teach the simple life..."

ACT II -   Askwood Races.

• No. 8 - Opening Chorus, and Melos - "That's all over, bar the shouting; A's in clover, B is doubting..."
• No. 9 - Song - Bobbie and Chorus - "I've tried every sort and kind of sport, but racing is quite the best..."
• No. 10 - Song - Eileen and Chorus - "Erin's a spot famous for greenery, but we do not match with our scenery..." [MP3 File]
• No. 11 - Shower Chorus - "This is really altogether too provoking of the weather..."
• No. 12 - Song - Sombra and Chorus - "Far away in Arcady summer never passes..."
• No. 12a - Exit
• No. 13 - Song - Simplicitas - "Dearest, let us hie away together somewhere in the Backwoods of Beyond..."
• No. 14 - Duet - Eileen and Jack - "You're taking such good care of me, I'm not inclined to set you free..." [MP3 File]
• No. 15 - Finale Act II, including The Race - "The horses are out-- see, there they go! ..."

ACT III -   The Arcadian Restaurant.

• No. 16 - Opening Chorus - Waitresses - "Plant your posies, rue and roses, flow'rs of ev'ry hue..." [MP3 File]
• No. 17 - Duet - Chrysaea & Percy, with Chorus - "For a month I've braved the dangers in this land of smoke and strangers..."
• No. 18 - Duet - Eileen & Jack - "Tell me when you've got an hour to spare, then we'll fix up when to meet and where..."
• No. 19 - Chorus of Belgravians - "Cheer for Simplicitas, cheer!  Tell him Belgravia's here..."
• No. 20 - Song - Simplicitas & Chorus - "You've heard of me, of course; I'm London's latest whim..."
• No. 21 - Quintet - Simplicitas, Jack, Bobbie, etc. - "Though Truth is not in great demand for daily use throughout our land..." [MP3 File]
• No. 22 - Song - Doody - "I've always been, since quite a lad, cheery and gay when things were bad..." [MP3 File]
• No. 22b - Melody
• No. 23 - Finale