Henry Purcell
Purcell’s contribution to the theatre is far greater than what is generally known today; in his last years, there were indeed few plays in London theaters that would be performed without some songs, overtures and tunes specially composed by “the celebrated Henry Purcell”: Bonduca, The Double Dealer, Aureng-Zebe, Abdelazer, The Indian Queen, The rival sisters, a Fool’s preferment, Don Quixote, Distressed Innocence, Amphitryon, Regulus… all are names that have been nearly forgotten, although Purcell’s genius is at his pinnacle. Among those scattered jewels, Les Ambassadeurs have selected, assembled and reorganised into suites – carefully build with an inner dramatic structure in order to preserve the theatrical character of the music.
Musicke for the Theatre
Songs, overtures, act tunes, hornpipes & jigs
from Bonduca, The Double Dealer, Aureng-Zebe, Abdelazer, The Indian Queen,
The rival sisters, a Fool’s preferment, Don Quixote, Distressed Innocence
with Maria Keohane, soprano & Nicholas Mullroy, tenor
from Bonduca, The Double Dealer, Aureng-Zebe, Abdelazer, The Indian Queen,
The rival sisters, a Fool’s preferment, Don Quixote, Distressed Innocence
with Maria Keohane, soprano & Nicholas Mullroy, tenor
The Fairy Queen
Semi Opera after Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream
with Sabine Devieilhe & Maria Keohane, soprano
Anders Dahlin & Nicholas Mullroy, tenors
Alain Buet, baryton
with Sabine Devieilhe & Maria Keohane, soprano
Anders Dahlin & Nicholas Mullroy, tenors
Alain Buet, baryton