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Purcell's Players

Donald Macleod discusses a colourful selection of singers, actors, instrumentalists and supporters who all contributed in some way to Purcell's success and reputation.

For any biographer, the cast of characters which surrounded Purcell is a gift. Today Donald Macleod meets a selection of these singers, actors, instrumentalists and supporters, all of whom contributed in some way to the composer's success and reputation. Among them we meet an actress whose personal life would have landed her on the Jeremy Kyle show had it existed, and we also find how 'that stupendous bass' John Gostling found himself linked to the King's famously portly wife.

Pavane in B flat Z 750
The Fires of London
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, conductor

They that Go Down to the Sea in Ships
James Bowman, counter-tenor
Michael George, bass
The King's Consort
Robert King, director

Dido and Aeneas, Act 3
Paul Agnew, tenor, sailor
Felicity Palmer, contralto, sorceress
Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano, Dido
Camilla Tilling, soprano, Belinda
Ian Bostridge, tenor, Aeneas
European Voices
Le Concert d'Astrée,
Emmanuelle Haim, director

Fantasia à4 no 6
Fretwork

Now that the Sun hath veil'd his light
Hannah Morrison, soprano
William Christie, organ

Hail! Bright Cecilia, conclusion
Susan Hamilton, soprano
Siri Thornhill, soprano
Robin Blaze, counter-tenor
Martin van der Zeijst, tenor
Mark Padmore, tenor
Jonathan Arnold, bass
Jonathan Brown, bass
Collegium Vocale
Philippe Herreweghe, director

Producer: Michael Surcombe.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Henry Purcell

    Pavan in B flat major Z.750

    Ensemble: The Fires of London. Conductor: Peter Maxwell Davies.
    • UNICORN : UKCD2044.
    • UNICORN.
    • 3.
  • Henry Purcell

    They that go down to the sea in ships Z.57

    Performer: The King's Consort. Director: Robert King. Singer: James Bowman. Singer: Michael George.
    • HYPERION: CDS44148.
    • HYPERION.
    • 10.
  • Henry Purcell

    Dido and Aeneas (Act 3)

    Director: Emmanuelle Haïm. Ensemble: Le Concert d’Astrée. Singer: Felicity Palmer. Singer: Paul Agnew. Choir: European Voices.
    • VIRGIN CLASSICS : 545-605-2.
    • VIRGIN CLASSICS.
    • 26.
  • Henry Purcell

    Fantasia a4 no.6

    Ensemble: Fretwork.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI : HMU-907502.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 6.
  • Henry Purcell

    Now that the Sun hath veil’d his light

    Director: William Christie. Singer: Hannah Morris.
    • Mateo de Flecha - El Fuego.
    • VIRGIN CLASSICS.
    • 15.
  • Henry Purcell

    Hail, bright cecilia Z.328 (extract)

    Performer: Jonathan Brown. Singer: Susan Hamilton. Choir: Collegium Vocale Gent. Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe. Singer: Siri Thornhill. Singer: Robin Blaze. Singer: Martin van der Zeyst. Singer: Mark Padmore. Singer: Jonathan Arnold. Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI :HMG508462.63.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 13.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 28 Apr 2016 12:00
  • Thu 28 Apr 2016 18:30

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