This collection presents a series of musical settings based on the lyrical verses found within the plays of William Shakespeare. The composer, Wolfgang Fortner, interprets these iconic texts through a mid-twentieth-century harmonic lens, aiming to capture the emotional resonance of the original dramatic contexts. The work functions as a bridge between Elizabethan literature and modern vocal composition, requiring the performer to navigate complex rhythmic structures while maintaining the integrity of the source poetry. The narrative framework is non-linear, organized by the thematic selection of songs rather than the chronological order of the plays from which they originate.

This work is regarded as a significant contribution to the mid-century tradition of setting classical English poetry to modern music. The reception of Fortner's compositions often highlights his ability to balance the rigid requirements of the original verse with the freedom of his own harmonic language. Listeners and scholars frequently note the technical demands placed upon the vocalist, which serve to heighten the dramatic tension inherent in the selected texts. The collection remains a staple for those interested in the intersection of twentieth-century classical music and the enduring legacy of Shakespearean drama.