Customer Reviews

Purcell: Dioclesian (complete); Timon Of Athens /Pierand * Bowman * Ainsley * George * Collegium Musicum 90 * Hickox

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The music on this recording presents a typical example of a semi-opera, popular in Britain in Purcell's time. Semi-operas were based on a dramatic spoken play, and were accompanied by "incidental" music (dances and masques). It is this incidental music that usually finds its way onto a disc. This recording follows this convention. What distinguishes this recording is its high quality. Collegium Musicum 90 and Richard Hickox are experts in baroque music. The soloists include the biggest names in English vocals. Even the two additional tenors, brought in to merely double the voices in two places, are not just anybody, but Mark Padmore and Ian Bostridge (!). That tells you something. The biggest highlights include the Wood-god duet in Act V of Dioclesian, and the soprano song "Since from my dear Astrea's sight" which is placed in an appendix because musicologists don't seem to know where exactly it originally belonged. This song, which seems to speak of a man's, rather than woman's, anguish over the lost love, concludes with the most wrenching words: "alas, with weeping eyes, And bleeding heart I lie Thinking on her whose absence 'tis That makes me wish to die." Isn't that beautiful?

There are few recordings of Henry Purcell's "operas" that come close to this caliber. A shame almost, because it spoils you, and the other cd's start to sound a bit sophomoric, as they are often lacking not only early music voices but period correct instruments. (hmmm, a snobby comment if ever there was one.) Just remember that few early music performing groups can compete with Collegium Musicum's vocal and instrumental arsenal. Incidentally, the Collegium records exclusively on Chandos. Recorded 1993-94 at St. Jude's Church, London.