Purcell Songs and Arias

View record and artist details

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Henry Purcell

Label: Veritas

Magazine Review Date: 7/2001

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 153

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: 561866-2

Tracks:

Composition	Artist Credit
O Solitude! my sweetest choice	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Archlute
Ah! how pleasant 'tis to love	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
Not all my torments can your pity move	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Archlute Paul Nicholson, Harpsichord
Stript of their green our groves appear	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Guitar Paul Nicholson, Harpsichord Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
(The) Blessed Virgin's Expostulation, 'Tell me, so	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Archlute Paul Nicholson, Organ Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
If music be the food of love	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Paul Nicholson, Harpsichord Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
(The) Gresham Autograph, Movement: Hark th'ecchoing air	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Archlute Paul Nicholson, Harpsichord Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
(The) Fatal hour comes on apace	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Archlute
(The) Queen's Epicedium, 'Incassum, Lesbia, rogas'	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Archlute Paul Nicholson, Organ
Cupid, the slyest rogue alive	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Archlute Paul Nicholson, Harpsichord Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
Bess of Bedlam, 'From silent shades'	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Archlute Paul Nicholson, Harpsichord Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
(An) Evening Hymn on a Ground, 'Now that the sun hath veil'd his light'	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Paul Nicholson, Organ
(The Comical History of) Don Quixote, Movement: From rosy bow'rs	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Guitar Paul Nicholson, Harpsichord Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
(The) Indian Queen, Movement: I attempt from love's sickness	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Paul Nicholson, Harpsichord
(The History of) Dioclesian, or The Prophetess	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Guitar Paul Nicholson, Harpsichord Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
King Arthur, Movement: Fairest isle	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Archlute
Pausanias, Movement: Sweeter than roses (song)	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Archlute Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
(The) Libertine, Movement: Nymphs and shepherds	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Guitar Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
Amidst the shades and cool refreshing streams	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Theorbo
Timon of Athens, Movement: Love in their little veins	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Marion Scott, Recorder Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Lute Rachel Beckett, Recorder Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
Fly swift, ye hours	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Lute Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
(The) Indian Queen, Movement: They tell us that your mighty powers	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Theorbo Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
(The) Plaint	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Lute Pauline Nobes, Violin Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
In the black dismal dungeon of despair	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Organ Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Lute
(The) Fairy Queen, Movement: See, even Night herself is here	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Trevor Jones, Viola
(The) Indian Queen, Movement: Why should men quarrel	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Marion Scott, Recorder Nancy Argenta, Soprano Rachel Beckett, Recorder Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
(The) Indian Queen, Movement: Seek not to know	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Nancy Argenta, Soprano Paul Goodwin, Oboe Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba Sophia McKenna, Oboe d amore
(The) History of King Richard II	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Lute
(The) Libertine, Movement: To arms, heroic prince	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Mark Bennett, Trumpet Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Theorbo Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
Bonduca, Movement: O Lead me to some peaceful gloom	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Lute Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
(The) Tempest, Movement: Halcyon days	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Lute Paul Goodwin, Oboe Pauline Nobes, Violin Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
Birthday Ode, 'Come ye sons of art away', Movement: Bid the virtues	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Organ Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Theorbo Paul Goodwin, Oboe Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
Lord, what is man?	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Organ Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Lute
Oedipus, Movement: Music for a while (song)	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Nancy Argenta, Soprano
Sawney is a bonny lad	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Guitar
(The) Fairy Queen, Movement: When I have often heard	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Guitar Richard Boothby, Viola da gamba
Theodosius, Movement: Ah! Cruel, bloody fate	Henry Purcell, Composer Henry Purcell, Composer John Toll, Harpsichord Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nigel North, Theorbo
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Thy hand, Belinda	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Great minds against themselves conspire	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: But Death, alas!	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Your counsel all is urg'd in vain	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: The Witches' Dance (Jack of the Lanthorn Dance)	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Destruction's our delight	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Our next motion	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: See, see the flags	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: The Sailors' Dance	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Come away, fellow sailors	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: The Groves' Dance	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Then since our charms have sped	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Jove's commands shall be obey'd	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Stay, Prince, and hear	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Haste, haste to town	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Behold, upon my bend spear	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Oft she visits this loved mountain	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Thanks to these lonesome vales	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Ritornelle	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Echo Dance of the Furies	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: In our deep vaulted cell	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: But ere we this perform	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Ruin'd ere the set of sun?	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Ho, ho, ho	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: The Queen of Carthage	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Harm's our delight	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Wayward sisters	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: The Triumphing Dance	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: To the hills and the vales	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: A Dance Gittars Chacony	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Pursue thy conquest, Love	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: If not for mine	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Cupid only throws the dart	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: See, your royal guest apperas	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Fear no danger to ensue	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: When sould so much virtue spring	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: When monarchs unite	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Grief increases by concealing	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola
Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Ah! Belinda	Henry Purcell, Composer Fiona Huggett, Violin Henry Purcell, Composer Nancy Argenta, Soprano Nicholas Robinson, Violin Nigel North, Lute Trevor Jones, Viola

Author:

These two recitals were recorded in 1992 and 1995, and it is clear that in the intervening years Nancy Argenta’s voice gained in strength and power. The second disc includes ‘In the black, dismal dungeon of despair’, ‘Ah! Cruel bloody fate’ and Dido’s Lament, and in these and other songs and arias Argenta shows a remarkable instinct for dramatic declamation, wedded to her smooth, pure tone and ability to sing long lines as well as florid passages. When this disc was issued in 1996 it was under the title ‘Halycon Days’, but that song from The Tempest is now said not to be by Purcell at all, but attributed to John Weldon.
It is sad that Purcell’s songs remain little known outside the world of early-music specialists. Their richness and variety ought to attract singers just as much as, say, the songs of Schubert and Wolf. Many of the songs on this set are taken from stage works, but the booklet that comes with the CDs gives no indication of this, nor does it mention the names of the poets and dramatists. There may well be some doubt as to the authorship of certain texts, but that is all the more reason to let us know. There are no texts or translations, so any potential buyer outside English-speaking countries will surely be put off.
This would be a great pity, for Nancy Argenta is a singer of exceptional charm and accomplishment. The accompaniments provided by Paul Nicholson, Nigel North and the other musicians are consistently pleasing. However, although Argenta’s diction is pretty good, there are moments when a word or phrase gets covered so that it is quite difficult to make it out. It can’t be expensive to print the texts of songs from the 17th century – no copyright to pay, so why spoil the ship for the proverbial Ha’p’orth of tar? Nevertheless, these two CDs are of exceptional merit, and devotees of Purcell’s music and novices alike will find them a delight

Purcell Songs and Arias

O Solitude! my sweetest choice

Ah! how pleasant 'tis to love

Not all my torments can your pity move

Stript of their green our groves appear

(The) Blessed Virgin's Expostulation, 'Tell me, so

If music be the food of love

(The) Gresham Autograph, Movement: Hark th'ecchoing air

(The) Fatal hour comes on apace

(The) Queen's Epicedium, 'Incassum, Lesbia, rogas'

Cupid, the slyest rogue alive

Bess of Bedlam, 'From silent shades'

(An) Evening Hymn on a Ground, 'Now that the sun hath veil'd his light'

(The Comical History of) Don Quixote, Movement: From rosy bow'rs

(The) Indian Queen, Movement: I attempt from love's sickness

(The History of) Dioclesian, or The Prophetess

King Arthur, Movement: Fairest isle

Pausanias, Movement: Sweeter than roses (song)

(The) Libertine, Movement: Nymphs and shepherds

Amidst the shades and cool refreshing streams

Timon of Athens, Movement: Love in their little veins

Fly swift, ye hours

(The) Indian Queen, Movement: They tell us that your mighty powers

(The) Plaint

In the black dismal dungeon of despair

(The) Fairy Queen, Movement: See, even Night herself is here

(The) Indian Queen, Movement: Why should men quarrel

(The) Indian Queen, Movement: Seek not to know

(The) History of King Richard II

(The) Libertine, Movement: To arms, heroic prince

Bonduca, Movement: O Lead me to some peaceful gloom

(The) Tempest, Movement: Halcyon days

Birthday Ode, 'Come ye sons of art away', Movement: Bid the virtues

Lord, what is man?

Oedipus, Movement: Music for a while (song)

Sawney is a bonny lad

(The) Fairy Queen, Movement: When I have often heard

Theodosius, Movement: Ah! Cruel, bloody fate

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Thy hand, Belinda

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Great minds against themselves conspire

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: But Death, alas!

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Your counsel all is urg'd in vain

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: The Witches' Dance (Jack of the Lanthorn Dance)

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Destruction's our delight

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Our next motion

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: See, see the flags

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: The Sailors' Dance

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Come away, fellow sailors

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: The Groves' Dance

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Then since our charms have sped

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Jove's commands shall be obey'd

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Stay, Prince, and hear

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Haste, haste to town

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Behold, upon my bend spear

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Oft she visits this loved mountain

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Thanks to these lonesome vales

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Ritornelle

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Echo Dance of the Furies

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: In our deep vaulted cell

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: But ere we this perform

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Ruin'd ere the set of sun?

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Ho, ho, ho

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: The Queen of Carthage

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Harm's our delight

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Wayward sisters

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: The Triumphing Dance

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: To the hills and the vales

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: A Dance Gittars Chacony

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Pursue thy conquest, Love

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: If not for mine

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Cupid only throws the dart

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: See, your royal guest apperas

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Fear no danger to ensue

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: When sould so much virtue spring

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: When monarchs unite

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Grief increases by concealing

Dido and Aeneas, Movement: Ah! Belinda

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Purcell Songs and Arias

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