Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Henry Purcell's baroque masterpieces with this captivating album, released on January 1, 2003, by Archiv Produktion. Spanning a generous 1 hour and 48 minutes, this collection showcases the genius of one of England's most celebrated composers, offering a blend of choral and orchestral works that are as profound as they are enchanting.
The album opens with Purcell's iconic opera "Dido and Aeneas," a tragic love story set to some of the most beautiful music of the baroque era. The overture and subsequent acts are filled with memorable arias and choral pieces, including the hauntingly beautiful "When I Am Laid in Earth," a lament that has become one of the most beloved pieces in the classical repertoire.
Following "Dido and Aeneas," the album presents "King Arthur, or The British Worthy," a semi-opera that blends masques and dramatic scenes. This work is notable for its lively dances, such as the Chaconne and the Hornpipe, as well as its stirring choral numbers and arias. The album also includes selections from "Dioclesian" and "Timon of Athens," along with three odes, providing a comprehensive overview of Purcell's dramatic and choral compositions.
Purcell's music is characterized by its intricate melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive depth. This album is a testament to his enduring legacy and offers a glimpse into the musical world of 17th-century England. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this collection is sure to captivate and inspire.
Dido and Aeneas: OvertureHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626 / Act I: "Shake the Cloud from Off Your Brow" - "Banish Sorrow, Banish Care"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Lynne Dawson, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act I: "Ah! Belinda, I Am Press'd" ... "When Monarchs Unite, How Happy"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Anne Sofie von Otter, Lynne Dawson, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act I: "Whence Could So Much Virtue Spring?" - "Fear No Danger"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Anne Sofie von Otter, Lynne Dawson, Sarah Leonard, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act I: "See, Your Royal Guest Appears" - "Cupid Only Throws the Dart"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Lynne Dawson, Stephen Varcoe, Anne Sofie von Otter, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act I: "If Not for Mine, for Empire's Sake" ... "To the Hills and the Vales"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Stephen Varcoe, Lynne Dawson, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act I: The Triumphing DanceHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Dido and Aeneas / Act II: Prelude for the Witches "Wayward Sisters" ... "Ho, ho, ho"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Nigel Rogers, Elisabeth Priday, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act II: "Ruin'd Ere the Set of Sun" ... "But Ere We This Perform"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Elisabeth Priday, Carol Hall, Nigel Rogers, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act II: "In Our Deep Vaulted Cell"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act II: Echo Dance of FuriesHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Dido and Aeneas / Act II: Ritornelle - "Thanks to These Lonesome Vales"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Lynne Dawson, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act II: "Oft She Visits"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Sarah Leonard
Dido and Aeneas / Act II: "Behold, Upon My Bending Spear" - "Haste, Haste to Town"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Stephen Varcoe, Anne Sofie von Otter, Lynne Dawson, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act II: "Stay, Prince"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Kym Amps, Stephen Varcoe
Dido and Aeneas / Act III: Prelude - "Come Away, Fellow Sailors"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Nigel Rogers, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act III: The Sailors' Dance "See the Flags and Streamers Curling"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Nigel Rogers, Elisabeth Priday, Carol Hall
Dido and Aeneas / Act III: "Our Next Motion" - "Destructions's Our Delight"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Nigel Rogers, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act III: The Witches' DanceHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Dido and Aeneas / Act III: "Your Counsel All is Urg'd in Vain" - "Great Minds Against Themselves Conspire"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, Anne Sofie von Otter, Lynne Dawson, Stephen Varcoe, The English Concert Choir
Dido and Aeneas / Act III: "Thy Hand, Belinda...When I Am Laid in Earth"Henry Purcell, Anne Sofie von Otter, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Dido and Aeneas / Act III: "With Drooping Wings"Henry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert Choir
King Arthur, or The British Worthy, Z.628: First Music: ChaconneHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691): Second Music: I. OvertureHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691): II. AirHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 1: "Woden, first to thee" / "We have sacrific'd"Henry Purcell, Gerald Finley, Jamie MacDougall, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 1: "The white horse neigh'd aloud" / "To Woden thanks we render"Henry Purcell, Jamie MacDougall, Gerald Finley, Mark Tucker, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 1: The Lot is cast (soprano)Henry Purcell, Julia Gooding, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 1: Brave soulsHenry Purcell, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 1: I call ye all (Tenor)Henry Purcell, Mark Tucker, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 1: 'Come if you dare' (tenor)Henry Purcell, Jamie MacDougall, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 2: Hither this way (Philidel)Henry Purcell, Linda Perillo, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 2: Let not a Moon-born Elf (Grimbald)Henry Purcell, Gerald Finley, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 2: Hither, this way bendHenry Purcell, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 2: Come follow, follow, follow me (Philidel)Henry Purcell, Linda Perillo, Caroline Ashton, Nigel Short, Simon Davies, Simon Birchall, Rachel Bevan, Carol Hall, Jeremy Birchall, James Oxley, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 2: How blest are Shepherds (Shepherd)Henry Purcell, Jamie MacDougall, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 2: Shepherd, shepherd, leave Decoying (Shepherdesses)Henry Purcell, Linda Perillo, Julia Gooding, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 2: Come, shepherdsHenry Purcell, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 2: Second Act Tune: AirHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 3: PreludeHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 3: What ho (Cupid)Henry Purcell, Nancy Argenta, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, Or The British Worthy, Z.628 / Act 3: What Power Art Thou (Genius)Henry Purcell, Brian Bannatyne-Scott, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 3: Thou Doting Fool (Cupid)Henry Purcell, Nancy Argenta, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 3: Great Love, I know thee nowHenry Purcell, Brian Bannatyne-Scott, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 3: No part of my Dominium (Cupid)Henry Purcell, Nancy Argenta, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 3: PreludeHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act III: See, See, We AssembleHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert Choir
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 3: 'Tis I that have warm'd ye (Cupid)Henry Purcell, Nancy Argenta, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 3: "Sound a parley" / "'Tis Love, 'tis Love, 'tis Love that has warm'd us"Henry Purcell, Nancy Argenta, Brian Bannatyne-Scott, The English Concert Choir, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
King Arthur, or The British Worthy (1691) / Act 3: Third Act Tune: HornpipeHenry Purcell, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
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