The second recording of a Purcell opera released by Gabrieli Consort and McCreesh with the full score edited by the conductor himself. Purcell’s The Fairy Queen is based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a play not frequently performed in the late 17th century, nor very well regarded (“the most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life” - Samuel Pepys’ diary, 1662). Despite this, the play would go on to work well within an opera, as the characters of Pyramus and Thisbe could conjure up singing and dancing accomplices. Purcell’s masterful composition, Gabrieli’s first-class performance, and McCreesh’s superb interpretation demonstrate why their recordings are seen as some of the best in classical music today.

• - 1 -

  • 1. The Fairy Queen Z.629 - Prelude
  • 2. Hornpipe
  • 3. Air
  • 4. Rondeau
  • 5. Overture
  • 6. Come, Let Us Leave the Town
  • 7. Scene of the Drunken Poet
  • 8. Jig
  • 9. Come All Ye Songsters
  • 10. Symphony In Imitation of Birds
  • 11. May the God of Wit Inspire
  • 12. Symphony In Imitation of an Echo
  • 13. Chorus: Now Join Your Warbling Voices
  • 14. Sing While We Trip It
  • 15. See, Even Night Herself is Here
  • 16. I Am Come To Lock All Fast
  • 17. One Charming Night
  • 18. Hush, No More
  • 19. Dance For the Followers of Night
  • 20. Second Act Tune - Air
  • 21. If Love's a Sweet Passion
  • 22. Symphony While the Swans Come Forward
  • 23. Dance For the Fairies
  • 24. Dance For the Green Men
  • 25. Ye Gentle Spirits of the Air
  • 26. Prelude & Dialogue: Now the Maids and the Men Are Making of
  • 27. Dance For the Haymakers
  • 28. When I Have Often Heard Young Maids Complaining
  • 29. A Thousand, Thousand Ways
  • 30. Third Act Tune - Hornpipe

• - 2 -

  • 1. Symphony/Prelude/Canzona/Largo/Allegro/Adagio/Allegro
  • 2. Now the Night is Chas'd Away
  • 3. Let the Fifes and the Clarions
  • 4. Symphony For the Entry of Phoebus
  • 5. When a Cruel Long Winter
  • 6. Hail! Great Parent of Us All
  • 7. Thus the Ever Greatful Spring
  • 8. Here's the Summer
  • 9. See My Many Colour'd Fields
  • 10. Next Winter Comes Slowly
  • 11. Hail! Great Parent of Us All (Ii)
  • 12. Fourth Act Tune - Air
  • 13. Interlude - O Let Me Weep
  • 14. Thrice Happy Lovers
  • 15. Entry Dance
  • 16. Symphony
  • 17. Thus the Gloomy World
  • 18. Thus Happy and Free
  • 19. Yes, Daphne
  • 20. Dance For the Monkeys
  • 21. Hark How All Things With One Sound Rejoice
  • 22. Hark the Echoing Air a Triumph Sings
  • 23. Sure the Dull God of Marriage
  • 24. Prelude As Hymen Enters
  • 25. See I Obey / Turn Then Thine Eyes / My Torch, Indeed
  • 26. They Shall Be As Happy As They're Fair
  • 27. Dance For the Chinese Man & Woman - Chaconne