To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
From: dennis collins
Subject: Pronunciation of -ed
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

In Dowland's songs, at least in the Stainer & Bell edition, the "-ed" of a
past participle, which normally isn't pronounced as a syllable in modern
English, has its own note, sometimes rather long. For example, the last
(whole) note of "Flow my tears" is written on the "ed" of "deprived"
(preceded by two 16ths for "de" and one 8th for "priv"). How is one
supposed to sing this? What do the experts do?

Thanks.

Dennis