DOWNLOAD

HERBERT – Gypsy Love Song (from Act II of the Operetta ‘The Fortune Teller’) – FOUR CELLOS

Other Identification:
Victor Herbert’s “Gypsy Love Song” was first published in 1898, and written for voice (baritone or mezzo-soprano) and piano. It comes from Act II of ‘The Fortune Teller’, an operetta in three acts with a libretto by Harry B. Smith. It was the eighth of more than 50 Herbert stage works.

After a brief try-out in Toronto, it premiered on Broadway on September 26, 1898 at Wallack’s Theatre and ran for 40 performances. The “Gypsy Love Song – Slumber On, My Little Gypsy Sweetheart” – to give its complete title – is the most famous musical piece from the light opera. It was also later arranged for Piano Trio by George John Trinkaus (1878-1960).

In 1903 ‘The Fortune Teller’ was seen in Australia. ‘The Fortune Teller’ returned briefly to Broadway in 1929. Much later, a heavily adapted version, with bits of the score combined with some music from Herbert’s earlier The Serenade, was produced on the West Coast as ‘Gypsy Lady’ and also, without apparent success, in New York in 1946. The following year it was programmed in London under the title ‘Romany Love’. Bits of the score (though not the lyrics) also turned up in a 1934 Warner Brothers film based on the show in which Anita Campillo played the heroine’s double rôle.

Movements or sections:
marked ‘Lento’

Instrumentation:
This is ideal for four cellos, and not by a cello orchestra rendition although a larger cello ensemble could divide itself between parts 2, 3 and 4, leaving the soloist first part to a single player.

Approximate difficulty:
Moderate-to-difficult. The first line uses regular thumb position, and the other three double-stoppings, but is perfectly suited to more advanced players, teachers and higher-level students.

Go back to this section and continue searching for more music

Go to COLLECTION POINT to receive all selected items

Poster of Johnstone-Music

Who plays Johnstone-Music?

Johnstone Music has been performed by orchestras and conservatories worldwide, earning international recognition in cello repertoire.

Free sheet music

Instantly download a wide variety of scores – from cello solos and chamber works to orchestral parts and educational material

How do free downloads work?

Please enjoy looking around the very large selection of music offered, and the information given for each piece or work. When you find music you want, simply click “Yes, I wish to download this music”.

You can then either continue searching or go to the Collection Point to receive the music. You can order up to ten PDFs in each session (once per day).

The very first time you receive music, you will need to register on this site with the briefest details, of course at no cost at all. Then, on subsequent visits, you simply ‘log in’.

It is hoped to launch a special viewer subscription for unlimited access in the near future.

Practising good intentions

This site includes a wealth of historical and modern documents, photos, and music — some obviously of unknown or untraceable origin. Johnstone-Music makes no intent of financial gain from sharing the material; any royalties happily belonging to the original owners.

We believe that virtually anyone would appreciate the educational and academic value of sharing, and we’re happy to credit (and thank) any name. However, please be assured that if any copyright holder were to firmly object to the inclusion of something in their domain we would promptly remove said item upon request.

Personal

David Johnstone lives near Pamplona (Navarre, Spain) with his wife Rosa and their two “Spanglish” children, close to the Atlantic Pyrenees. The nearest international airport is Bilbao.

He is interested in world affairs, politics, animal rights, and most sports (including being a lifelong suffering Reading FC fan!). Also passionate about Celtic culture and genealogy, he has traced his ‘English’ family back to 1280, although Scotland and Ireland have also shaped his background. And yes — he is half-ashamed to admit it, he loves silly jokes!

Social Work

David Johnstone supports animal rights, he is against any form of abuse towards them, and says a loud “NO” to bullfighting, foxhunting and any other animal cruelty.

TORTURE IS NOT CULTURE !