Macbeth: 3. Temptation

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Dunsinane Castle. Inspired by the Witches' prophecy Lady Macbeth determines that King Duncan must die. Macbeth is reluctant at first, but is finally persuaded. That night Macbeth murders King Duncan and blame is placed on the king's servants.

Tutorial: 'Temptation' - Part 1

Key timings in the tutorial are:

00' 00":
Learning Verse 1 of 'Temptation', beginning: 'Now it's time to finish what we started' - which is sung by Lady Macbeth. Noting the jazzy, syncopated lines in the verse.

05' 08":
Singing Verse 1 all the way through.

Tutorial: 'Destiny' - Part 2

Key timings in the tutorial are:

00' 00":
Learning Verse 2, beginning: 'Are we moving in the right direction?' which is sung to the same melody as Verse 1.

02' 20":
Joining in with the improvised 'scat' section - putting nonsense words to the melody, such as 'doo-be-doo' and 'bad-u-wa' etc. Then repeating, either in groups or as individuals.

03' 56":
Learning Verse 3, beginning: 'Let me lead you in to sweet temptation…' The melody is the same as Verses 1 and 2.

05" 41":
Learning the slow coda of the song, beginning: 'Be a tiger not a dove…' and noting the 'rallentando' (slowing down).

The story

Synopsis:

Lady Macbeth is determined that King Duncan must die that night. Macbeth is reluctant at first but is persuaded to commit the murder.

After the celebratory banquet Macbeth wanders on the battlements of Dunsinane where he meets Banquo and Fleance. He looks for support from Banquo but his friend makes it clear his allegiance is to King Duncan. After Banquo leaves Macbeth has a vision of a bloodied dagger, its handle turned towards his hand, and takes it as a sign that it is time 'to do the deed'.

Macbeth murders Duncan in his bed but brings the knives away with him. Lady Macbeth must return the knives to the bed-chamber and then daub the king’s sleeping servants with blood to make it look as if they committed the crime.

See Resources below for a quiz about the story episode.

Song: 'Temptation'

Learn the song ‘Temptation’ - a duo for Lady Macbeth and Macbeth.

Once you have learnt the song singing with vocal version you can polish your performance singing with just the backing track.

Click here for the lyric sheet.

Click here for the music sheet.

Resources

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