The Witch Right3ye Flounder: A Creature of the Night

The witch righteye flounder, also known as the Sumida's flounder, is a species of flatfish that is found in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It belongs to the family Pleuronectidae, which includes other popular fish such as the halibut and the sole. The witch righteye flounder is characterized by its flat and oval-shaped body, which allows it to lie on the ocean floor and blend in almost perfectly with its surroundings. Its eyes are located on the right side of its body, hence the name "righteye flounder." This adaptation allows the fish to lie on its left side and have both eyes facing up, giving it a better view of potential prey or predators. These fish can be found at depths ranging from 60 to 300 meters, typically on sandy or muddy bottoms.

It is an extraordinary setting. The opening notes are sparse and deeply troubled, but the moment when Samuel rises from the dead, his voice down in his boots, is truly chilling. Here the piano is also right down in the lower register, and one can sense the mists of another world that should not have been disturbed.

On the face of it this would have been the ideal subject matter and text for Britten to set as a first Canticle and perhaps the only reason he did not do so was because Purcell had already achieved that. I m sore distressed, vexed sore; God has left me and answers me no more; Distressed with war, with inward terrors too, For pity s sake tell me, what shall I do.

These fish can be found at depths ranging from 60 to 300 meters, typically on sandy or muddy bottoms. They are most commonly found in the waters off the coast of Japan, particularly in the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean surrounding the Japanese archipelago. They are also found in the waters near Korea, Russia, and the eastern coast of China.

Saul and the witch of endor purcdell

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In guilty night 'Saul and the witch of Endor', Z134

Susan Gritton (soprano), Rogers Covey-Crump (tenor), Michael George (bass), The King's Consort, Robert King (conductor)

Recording details: April 1994
St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Ben Turner
Engineered by Philip Hobbs
Release date: June 1994
Total duration: 9 minutes 13 seconds

Reviews

Introduction

The devotional songs that Purcell contributed to Playford’s second book of Harmonia Sacra of 1693 – the duet Awake, ye dead, the settings of Cowley’s Begin the song, Fuller’s Lord, what is man? and Tate’s Blessed Virgin’s Expostulation – were all remarkable sacred works which reflected not only the composer’s vast experience at the Chapel Royal but also his (by now) equally important work in the theatre. The fifth work Purcell contributed, the dramatic scena In guilty night, is unique among Purcell’s sacred music. It fits into no single category, combining elements of the devotional song with that of the cantata and, indeed, the oratorio. Playford simply headed the composition as ‘A paraphrase on the 28th Chapter of the First Book of Samuel, from Verse 8, to Verse 20’. The background to the biblical story is that Samuel, growing old, picks Saul to succeed him as a leader for the Israelites. Saul, however, proves to be unreliable in his devotion to God, especially when he finds his position being usurped by David. In due course Samuel dies and the Israelites are once again at war with the Philistines. According to the Bible, Saul had ‘put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land’, but when he fails to get responses to his prayers from either God or the prophets he has to turn to one of the witches that he has banished. His advisors tell him that one such character remains at Endor: Saul, disguised, goes to visit her.

Purcell’s opening sets Saul’s desolation in starkly graphic style: the three voices enter quietly, one by one, building up the sense of tense theatricality with magical harmony to the first, chromatically dropping entries of ‘Forsaken Saul’: these build to a stunningly powerful climax. Saul demands in dramatic semi-recitative that the witch ‘call pow’rful arts together’ to raise up a departed spirit; the woman, ignorant of her visitor’s identity, desperately responds that she is fearful to do so, for ‘cruel Saul’ has ‘kill’d and murder’d all that were wise and could on spirits call’. Saul assures her that ‘No harm from Saul shall come to thee for this’, and the witch agrees to his request, asking who it is her visitor wishes to call. Saul replies that it is ‘Old Samuel’. The woman realises who Saul is, and that she will now die; her cries of ‘Alas’ are as powerful as any in Purcell’s output. Saul again reassures her and, asked what she can see, the woman describes ‘the gods ascending from below’ and ‘an old man mantled o’er’. Saul’s visit from the underworld has begun. Samuel angrily demands why he has been robbed of his rest to see ‘that which I hate’ and Saul explains his position, desperately asking in the most expressive music, ‘Oh! for pity’s sake, tell me, what shall I do.’ Samuel looks into the future and grimly replies that Saul’s army will be slain, his kingdom will fall, and that ‘tomorrow, thou and thy son shall be with me beneath’. (In the Bible all three of Saul’s sons are slain, and Saul, already injured, falls on his own sword rather than be taken by the Philistines). The closing chorus, setting just two words, ‘Oh! Farewell’, is a magical ending to one of the most remarkable compositions of the age.

from notes by Robert King ©

Other albums featuring this work

MP3 £35.00 FLAC £35.00 ALAC £35.00 Buy by post £45.00 CDS44141/51 11CDs Boxed set (at a special price)

‘It is hard to speak too highly of this enterprise … much enjoyment to be had’ (Gramophone)
‘The performances from The King’s Consort and its Choir, the Choir of New College and a starry line-up of soloists have such qualities of concentratio . » More

Recording details: April 1994
St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Ben Turner
Engineered by Philip Hobbs
Release date: June 1994
Total duration: 9 minutes 13 seconds

Audio clips with thanks to Hyperion

The witch righteye flounder feeds predominantly on small crustaceans and fish, using its strong jaws and sharp teeth to capture prey. It is an ambush predator, lying still on the ocean floor and pouncing on any unsuspecting prey that comes within its reach. It is also known to eat benthic invertebrates and small benthic organisms. This species of flounder is commercially important in Japan and is often caught for its tasty and delicate white meat. It is typically harvested by bottom trawling or gillnetting methods. However, due to intensive fishing pressure and habitat degradation, populations of witch righteye flounder have been declining over the years. Conservation efforts are being made to manage and protect this species to prevent further decline. In conclusion, the witch righteye flounder is a fascinating fish species found in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Its specialized adaptations for life on the ocean floor, as well as its commercial importance, make it an interesting subject for study and conservation..

Reviews for "The Witch Right3ye Flounder: Legends and Superstitions"

1. Jessica - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Witch right3ye flounder" based on the buzz it was receiving, but I was left deeply disappointed. The characters felt flat and underdeveloped, making it difficult for me to connect with any of them. The plot also seemed disjointed, with multiple subplots that were confusing and never quite came together. Additionally, the writing style was inconsistent, alternating between overly flowery language and awkward, choppy sentences. Overall, I found "Witch right3ye flounder" to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read.

2. Ryan - 1/5 stars - I struggled to even finish "Witch right3ye flounder". The story lacked direction and purpose, and I found myself questioning why I was still reading. The pacing was slow and dragged on, making it difficult to stay engaged. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. Furthermore, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, preventing me from being invested in the conversations between characters. Ultimately, "Witch right3ye flounder" fell short for me and I cannot recommend it to others.

3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "Witch right3ye flounder" had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver on multiple fronts. The writing was filled with clichés and lacked depth, making it difficult to truly immerse myself in the story. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked any growth or development throughout the book. The portrayal of magic and the supernatural elements also felt shallow and underexplored. While there were occasional glimpses of potential, they were quickly overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution. Sadly, "Witch right3ye flounder" did not live up to my expectations and left me wanting more from the story.

The Witch Right3ye Flounder: Its Place in Maritime Legends