View source for The Building of the Ship

''[[The Building of the Ship]]'' is a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wadsworth_Longfellow]. 

==The original text==

The poem[https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44626/the-building-of-the-ship] was conceived and written in 18,43, and was first published as the opening piece in the collection ''The Seaside and the Fireside'' (Ticknor, Reed and Fields, Boston, 1850). 

A renowned emotional reading of the play was done on February 12, 1850 by [[Fanny Kemble]] (1809-1893)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_Kemble], before the Mercantile Library Association, to an audience of more than three thousand. , portions of 4As

==Translations and adaptations==

A cantata (Opus 35), based on the poem, was composed by John Francis Barnett (1837-1916)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Francis_Barnett] and first performed at the Leeds Festival on 13 October, 1880.  Patey & Willis, London, published a vocal score of the piece, which when on to see numerous editions.

== Performance history in South Africa ==

1872: Two performances of the cantata was done by the [[Cape Town Choral Society]], in collaboration with the [[Rondebosh Choral Society]], under the direction of [[Mr Burke]]. The second as a benefit performance for the director.

== Sources ==

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wadsworth_Longfellow

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44626/the-building-of-the-ship

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Francis_Barnett

[[F.C.L. Bosman]]. 1980. ''Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916''. Pretoria: [[J.L. van Schaik]]: pp. 287-8


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