The Great Musicians: PurcellCummings, William Hayman
History
The Great Musicians: Purcell
Cummings, William Hayman
Purcell, Henry, 1659-1695
Queen Mary died of small-pox, and the memory of her goodness was felt
so universally by the people that writers vied with each other in
their endeavours to perpetuate records of her worth. I have now before
me a volume containing thirty-six odes and monodies to her memory,
all published in 1695. Amongst them are an "Epicedium," set to music
by Dr. Blow, the words by Mr. Herbert; a Latin version of the same,
commencing, "Incassum Lesbia," set to music by Henry Purcell, for a
solo voice; and another beginning, "O dive custos auriacæ domus," also
set to music by Purcell, for two voices.
Purcell was in a delicate state of health at the time of writing the
music for Queen Mary's funeral, yet he seems to have worked with
undiminished determination, composing music for the comedy, the
_Canterbury Guest_, written by Ravenscroft; the _Mock Marriage_, a
comedy by Scott; the _Rival Sisters_, a tragedy by Gould; _Oroonoko_,
a tragedy by Southerne; the _Knight of Malta_, a play by Beaumont and
Fletcher; and _Bonduca, or the British Heroine_, a tragedy adapted
from Beaumont and Fletcher,--this play included the catch, "Jack,
Thou'rt a Toper," the admirable duets, "To Arms," and "Britons Strike
Home." Some of the music was printed on single sheets immediately after
performance, but it remained for the "Musical Antiquarian Society" to
issue in 1842 a complete copy of the score, edited by Dr. Rimbault.
Purcell also, on 24th July in this year, produced a "Birthday Ode"
for the Duke of Gloucester. The ode commences, "Who can from joy
refrain." It was written for solo voices and chorus with orchestral
accompaniments. Among the principal singers at the first performance
were Mr. Howell, Mr. Robert, and Mr. Damascene.
Purcell also wrote some music for D'Urfey's third part of _Don
Quixote_. Amongst the pieces he contributed to this play was the
celebrated cantata, "From Rosie Bowers." This song was frequently
reprinted, and with the note that it was "The last song the Author
sett, it being in his sickness." It is probable that D'Urfey had hoped
to have had the advantage of Purcell's musical skill for the setting of
all his verses in the third part of _Don Quixote_, but it would seem
that Purcell was too ill to accomplish the work.
"From Rosie Bowers" was considered so important by D'Urfey that he
published the music of the third part of _Don Quixote_ with the
following title:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account