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Tim Mead
Image credit: © Andy Staples

Archived Event

Purcell - Songs and Dances
Tim Mead countertenor; Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien
Date
Mon 11 Mar 2024, 7.30pm
Tickets
Archived Event
Duration

This concert will be approximately 2 hours in duration, including an interval

Availability

Artists

  • Tim Meadcountertenor
  • Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien
    • François Lazarevitchtransverse flute, recorder, musette, director
    • Elsa Frankoboe, recorder
    • Josef Zakviolin
    • Anaëlle Blancviolin
    • Sophie Iwamuraviola
    • Garance Boizotviola da gamba
    • Mathieu Dupouyharpsichord, positive organ

Programme

  • Henry Purcell
    1659-1695
      • Timon of Athens Z632
        :
      • Chaconne - Curtain Tune
      • O solitude, my sweetest choice Z406
      • The Fairy Queen Z629
        :
      • One charming night
      • Chaconne
      • O let me weep
      • Welcome to all the pleasures (Ode for St Cecilia's Day) Z339
        :
      • Here the Deities approve
      • The Married Beau Z603
        :
      • March
      • The Indian Queen Z630
        :
      • We the spirits of the air
      • The Old Bachelor Z607
        :
      • Hornpipe
      • Hail, bright Cecilia Z328
        :
      • 'Tis Nature's Voice
      • If ever I more riches did desire Z544
        :
      • Here, let my life with as much silence slide
      • When first Amintas sued for a kiss Z430

Interval

  • Henry Purcell
    1659-1695
      • The Tempest Z631
        :
      • Dry those eyes
      • Sonata in 4 Parts No. 6 in G minor Z807
      • Love's goddess sure was blind Z331
        :
      • May her blest example chase
      • Hey Boys, Up Go We
  • Henry Purcell
    1659-1695
      • Suite in G Z770
        :
      • Borry
      • King Arthur Z628
        :
      • Fairest Isle
      • What power art thou
      • The Virtuous Wife, or Good Luck at Last Z611
        :
      • Air
      • Amphitryon, or The Two Sosias Z572
        :
      • Scotch Tune
      • The Mock Marriage Z605
        :
      • 'Twas within a furlong of Edinborough Town
      • Amphitryon, or The Two Sosias Z572
        :
      • Minuet
      • Hornpipe
      • Borry
      • Come, ye sons of art, away Z323
        :
      • Strike the viol, touch the lute

Encore

  • John Playford
    c.1623-1686
      • Drive the Cold Winter Away
        (arranged by François Lazarevitch)
      • Nobody's Jig
        (arranged by François Lazarevitch)

Overview

It is easy to recognise the Scotch and Irish tunes that Purcell (1659-1695) incorporated into his jigs, hornpipes and chaconnes. Though he is the only composer on this programme, the variety of moods that follow one another or collide, ranging from gentle melancholy to lighter songs, reveal the immense richness of the English composer and show not only his extraordinarily varied palette but also the ever-changing light the ensemble shines on his music. Countertenor Tim Mead punctuates the dances with airs conceived for the opera and theatre stage, as well as for chamber music.

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