A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture facts for kids
A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, Op. 21 is a famous piece of music written for an orchestra. It was created by a talented composer named Felix Mendelssohn. He wrote this amazing music when he was only 17 years old, back in 1827.
Many years later, Mendelssohn added even more music to go with William Shakespeare's famous play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. One of the most well-known parts he added is the "Wedding March," which you might have heard at weddings!
Contents
Exploring A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture
What is an Overture?
An overture is a piece of music that is often played at the very beginning of an opera, play, or ballet. It helps to set the mood and introduce some of the main musical ideas you'll hear later. Think of it as a musical preview!
Music That Tells a Story
Mendelssohn's Overture is special because it paints pictures with sound. It brings the characters and feelings from Shakespeare's play to life through music.
- The fairies in the play are shown with light, quick, and magical music that sounds like they are skipping.
- The lovers have romantic and flowing melodies that show their feelings for each other.
- The workmen, who are a bit clumsy and funny, are represented by music that sounds a bit clownish and silly.
- There's even a part for Bottom, one of the workmen who gets turned into a donkey! His music uses a special low, humming sound called a drone bass, which sounds like a donkey's bray (its call).
The Famous Wedding March
While the Overture itself is wonderful, Mendelssohn later wrote more music for the play. This included the very famous "Wedding March." This piece is often played at weddings all around the world, making it one of the most recognizable classical tunes ever!
