Henry Purcell: The Indian Queen & Timon of Athens

Henry Purcell: The Indian Queen & Timon of Athens
Deller Choir - Alfred Deller, dir. & The King's Musick - Catherine Mackintosh, dir.
Harmonia mundi HM 243 (HM 243/1, HM 243/2) [LPx2]
Harmonia mundi HM 243 [Cass.x2]
HNH 4035 [LPx2]
Musical Heritage Society MHS 824 379 / 80 [LPx2]
Musical Heritage Society MHC 226 379 / 80 [Cass.x2]

Contents:

    LP-1

    Henry Purcell: The Indian Queen (Z 630, 1695)
  1. Overture
  2. Prologue

    3. Act I

  3. 1. Boy: Wake, Quivera, wake
    2. Girl (Quivera): Why should men quarrel
    3. Boy: By ancient prophecies
    4. Girl, Boy: If these be they
    5. Boy: Their looks are such
    6. Girl, Boy: If so your goodness

    4. ----

    Act II

  4. 1. Symphony
    2. Fame, Chorus: I come to sing
    3. Envy, two followers: What flattering noise
    4. Fame: Scorn'd Envy
    5. Envy: I fly from the place
    6. Fame: Begone
    7. Fame, Chorus: I come to sing

    5. Act III

  5. 1. Symphony
    2. Ismeron: Ye twice hundred deities
    3. God of Dreams: Seek not to know

    LP-2

    4. Trumpet overture
    5. Aerial spirits: Ah! How happy
    6. Aerial spirits: We the spirits of the air
    7. Aerial spirits: I attempt from Love's sickness (soprano solo)
    8. Aerial spirits: We the spirits of the air

    6. Act IV

  6. Orazia: They tell us

    7. Act V

  7. 1. Chorus: While thus
    2. High Priest: You who at the altar stand
    3. Chorus: All prepared
    4. High Priest: Let all unhallow'd souls begone
    5. Chorus: All is done
    6. High Priest: Now in procession walk along
    7. Chorus: All dismal sounds

    8. ----
    Henry Purcell: "The Masque" (from Timon of Athens) (Z 632, 1694)
  8. 1. Hark ! how the songsters
    2. Solo: Love in their little veins inspires
    3. Trio: But ah!
    4. Solo: Hence with your trifling deities!
    5. Chorus: But over us no grief's prevail
    6. Cupid: Come all
    7. Chorus: Who can resist such mighty charms ?
    8. Bacchus: Return, revolting rebels!
    9. Solo: The cares of lovers
    10. Solo: Love quickly is palled
    11. Duet (Cupid, Bacchus: Chorus repeats): Come, let us agree

Playing time: 18' 38" + 21' 40" + 21' 35" + 20' 20" = 82' 13".

Performers:
[1]-[7] The Deller Choir [Mark Deller (countertenor - a boy, Envy's disciple), Jean Knibbs (soprano - Quivera, Spirit of the air), Paul Elliott (tenor - Fame, Spirit of the air), Maurice Bevan (baritone - Envy, Ismeron, High priest), Malcolm Knowles (tenor - Envy's disciple), Honor Sheppard (soprano - God of Dreams, Spirit of the air), Alfred Deller (counter-tenor, - Spirit of the air]
The King's Musick [Michael Laird (trumpet), Christopher Ball (recorder), Michael Brain (recorder), Claire Shanks (baroque oboe), Dai Jones (baroque oboe), Jane Ryan (viola di gamba), Jeremy Ward (baroque bassoon), Ian Gammie (violone), Robert Elliott (harpsichord)] - Catherine Mackintosh, cond.
Alfred Deller, dir.
[8] The Deller Choir [Jean Knibbs (soprano - Cupid), Honor Sheppard (soprano - Cupid's disciple), Maurice Bevan (baritone - Bacchus), Paul Elliott (tenor - Bacchus' disciple]
The King's Musick [Michael Laird (trumpet), Christopher Ball (recorder), Michael Brain (recorder), Claire Shanks (baroque oboe), Dai Jones (baroque oboe), Jane Ryan (viola da gamba), Jeremy Ward (baroque bassoon), Ian Gammie (violone), Robert Elliott (harpsichord)] - Catherine Mackintosh, cond.
Alfred Deller, dir.

Recording site and date:
Unknown [09/1976]

Excerpts:
[8]-[11] Harmonia mundi HM 498 [LP] Deller Consort
[1]-[7] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 243 [CD] Henry Purcell - The Indian Queen
[8]-[11] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 252.53 [CDx2] Purcell: King Arthur & The Masque from Timon of Athens
[3.1], [5.1], [5.5], [5.6] Harmonia mundi HMX 290 261 / 264 [CDx4] Alfred Deller - Portrait of a Legend

Reviewed in:
Diapason (#-p.): 217 (may 1977)
Gramophone (Vol./#-p.):
Fanfare (Vol./#-p.):

Comments:
Information from owned LPs.

To FAQ references to this recording.

To FAQ CD index page.

Pierre-F. Roberge