Full fathom five

John Banister sets these words from Shakespeare's The Tempest for solo voice. The text describes a magical transformation after death at sea, where the drowned father becomes part of the ocean's bounty: his bones turn to coral, his eyes to pearls, and his very being undergoes a sea-change into something rich and strange. The simple yet evocative melody captures the wonder and mystery of this transformation, culminating in the sound of the sea-nymphs' bell. This is a poignant and atmospheric art song, ideal for a thoughtful recital.