The "Anvil Chorus" is the English name for the Coro di Zingari[1] (Italian for "Gypsy chorus"), a chorus from act 2, scene 1 of Giuseppe Verdi's 1853 opera Il trovatore. It depicts Spanish Gypsies striking their anvils at dawn – hence its English name – and singing the praises of hard work, good wine, and Gypsy women. The piece is also commonly known by its opening words, "Vedi! Le fosche".
Zingari e zingare: |
Gypsy men and women: |
| External audio | |
|---|---|
 You may hear Rockin' the AnvilbyJohn Serry as recorded in 1956 Here on Archive.org |
Thomas Baker wrote Il Trovatore Quadrille (1855) for piano, which includes a movement based on this chorus.[3] Similarly, pianist/composer Charles Grobe wrote variations on the Anvil Chorus for piano in 1857.[4]
Aswing jazz arrangement by Jerry Gray for the Glenn Miller Orchestra released on RCA Bluebird in 1941 reached #3 on the U.S. Billboard charts.[5][6]
The melodic theme also served as the inspiration for "Rockin' the Anvil" for swing jazz ensemble and accordion on John Serry Sr.'s 1956 album Squeeze Play. [7][8]
The tune of the chorus was closely parodied in "The Burglar's Chorus" ("With cat-like tread") in Gilbert and Sullivan's 1879 comic opera The Pirates of Penzance, and soon after became a popular song with the lyrics Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here.[9]
