1882 The Outcast (La Miseria)
DESCRIPTION
Published in 1882 by Geo. D. Newhall & Co. of Cincinnati, The Outcast (La Miseria) is a Victorian parlor song with words by John Keynton and music by the Italian-born composer G. Operti.
The engraved cover sets the tone for the work, depicting a weary, bearded man seated alone inside a rustic cabin with only a faithful dog for company. Its restrained illustration and elegant Victorian typography exemplify the high artistic standards of late nineteenth-century sheet music, when publishers produced decorative covers intended to complement the music within.
Written for baritone or bass with piano accompaniment, the song reflects the era's fascination with sentimental ballads. Its lyrics follow a man cast into poverty and social isolation who endures hardship while finding solace through hope and faith. Like many Victorian parlor songs, it was intended for middle-class home performance, appealing to audiences who valued morality, compassion, and Christian redemption.
CONDITION
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