Music to relax after campaigning: "The shepherd's plain life" from Alfred by Arne

The opera "Alfred" is usually remembered today only for the finale - which is "Rule Britannia" - but it contains several other musical gems of which this charming duet is an example.

If you make the mistake of stopping to think about the words they are likely to come over to most people living in the 21st century (including me) as the most egregious reactionary nonsense, but the music is sublime.

 

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