The Great Musicians: PurcellCummings, William Hayman
History
The Great Musicians: Purcell
Cummings, William Hayman
Purcell, Henry, 1659-1695
"It has been objected that some of the Songs are already common;
but I presume that the Subscribers, upon perusal of the Work,
will easily be convinced that they are not the Essential Parts of
it. I have, according to my Promise in the Proposals, been very
carefull in the Examination of every Sheet, and hope the Whole
will appear as Correct as any yet Extant. My desire to make it as
cheap as possibly I cou'd to the Subscribers, prevail'd with me so
far above the consideration of my own Interest, that I find too
late the Subscription money will scarcely amount to the Expense of
compleating this Edition."
Although _Dioclesian_ did not prove a lucrative investment for the
composer it must have added considerably to his fame; produced at the
Queen's Theatre in 1690, Downes, in his _Roscius Anglicanus_, says, "It
gratify'd the expectation of Court and City; and got the author great
reputation." One of the airs in the piece, "What shall I do to show how
much I love her," was afterwards adapted to the words, "Virgins are
like the Fair Flower in its Lustre," and did duty as a part of _The
Beggar's Opera_.
The songs from _Amphitryon_[37] were published by Heptinstall soon
after the production of the comedy.
Purcell's music for _Dioclesian_ and for _Amphitryon_ seems to have
opened the eyes of Dryden, who had evidently been blind to the
distinguished talent of the composer. In the _Epistle Dedicatory_ to
_Amphitryon_, dated October 24, 1690, Dryden says:--
"What has been wanting on my part has been abundantly supplyed by
the Excellent Composition of Mr. _Purcell_; in whose Person we
have at length found an _Englishman_ equal with the best abroad.
At least my Opinion of him has been such, since his happy and
judicious Performances in the late Opera,[38] and the Experiences
I have had of him, in the setting of my three Songs for this
_Amphitryon_: To all which, and particularly to the Composition of
the _Pastoral Dialogue_, the numerous Quire of Fair Ladies gave so
just an Applause on the Third Day."
In addition to the before-mentioned plays, Purcell composed in 1690
the music for D'Urfey's "Ode for the Queen's Birthday, April 29,"
commencing "Arise, my muse," and also an ode for King William beginning
with the words, "Sound the trumpet."
We find that he again resigned his appointment as Copyist at
Westminster Abbey, and was succeeded by Edward Braddock, who was one of
the Lay Vicars and Master of the Choristers, and also a Gentleman of
the Chapels Royal.
In the succeeding year, 1691, Purcell produced the music for _King
Arthur_, written by Dryden. It was one of Purcell's most elaborate and
most successful efforts in dramatic composition, and contains several
pieces which have always been held in popular favour.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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