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New Shakespeare Songbook - Norway

Ane Brun performs Sonnet 138

On the 400 anniversary of his death, the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ and Austrian broadcaster ORF, with the support of the European Broadcasting Union, have decided to commission a New Shakespeare Songbook, offering today’s composers and musicians across Europe, the chance to respond afresh to these timeless texts.

New Shakespeare Songbook: Norway

Sonnet 138 - performed by Ane Brun

Sonnet 138 - original lyrics

When my love swears that she is made of truth
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutor'd youth,
Unlearned in the world's false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
Although she knows my days are past the best,
Simply I credit her false speaking tongue:
On both sides thus is simple truth suppress'd.
But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
And wherefore say not I that I am old?
O, love's best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in love loves not to have years told:
Therefore I lie with her and she with me,
And in our faults by lies we flatter'd be.

Interview with Ane Brun (singer)

New Shakespeare Songbook: Ane Brun interview

Interview with singer Ane Brun

About the New Shakespeare Songbook

Peter Maniura - ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Shakespeare Lives:

"If music be the food of love, play on..."

Shakespeare is a great songwriter; songs permeate the tragedies, comedies and histories and have provided a source of inspiration for composers, lyricists and performers for four centuries.

On the 400 anniversary of his death, the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ and Austrian broadcaster ORF, with the support of the European Broadcasting Union, have decided to commission a New Shakespeare Songbook, offering today’s composers and musicians across Europe, the chance to respond afresh to these timeless texts.

But this isn’t just music to be heard, it’s meant to be seen as well. Composers and performers worked with film-makers and directors to produce new songs which were also conceived as films.

The teams were free to use any Shakespeare text from his plays and sonnets and to set them in English, or in their native tongue. There was no restriction in terms of musical genre. The British songs were co-commissioned by ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Shakespeare Lives and ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3.

We hope you enjoy the imaginative, diverse and poetic results – welcome to the New Shakespeare Songbook!

  • Ane Brun (born Ane Brunvoll on 10 March 1976 in Molde, Norway) is a Norwegian international songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist.

Other countries' music videos

  • Gustav performs Liebe, Ach! (O, love) - Shakespeare's Sonnet 23

  • Omxo Puccino performs Shakespeare's Sonnets 91 & 94

  • Trio RΓͺverie perform Ne, ona nima ΕΎametnih oči (My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun) - Shakespeare's Sonnet 130

  • AnahΓ¬ Traversi performs Povera Anima (Poor Soul) - Shakespeare's Sonnet 146

  • Rahel Debebe-Dessalegne performs Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow from Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5)

  • Kathryn Rudge performs Love Sought - a new setting by Roxanna Panufnik, from Twelfth Night

New Shakespeare Songbook