Episode 3

Synopsis

Secular music also flourished in the English Restoration court as music was placed increasingly high up the list of royal entertainment. Donald Macleod surveys the requirements placed on the composers to the royal family, including a talented Catalan violinist who enraged his contemporaries for his poor use of English.

Purcell: When I am laid in earth (Dido and Aeneas)
Veronique Gens (soprano)
Les Arts Florissants
William Christie (director)
ERATO 4509-98477-2 Tr 25

John Blow: Venus and Adonis (Act 3)
Rosemary Joshua (soprano)
Gerald Finley (baritone)
Clare College Chapel Choir
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Rene Jacobs (director)
HARMONIA MUNDI HMX 2901684 Trs 24-27

Poems set by Henry Lawes, William Lawes, Francesco Corbetta and John Wilson from Henry Lawes' Select Ayres and Dialogues
Paul Hillier (singer)
Nigel North (lute/theorbo/guitar)
HARMONIA MUNDI HMU 907257 Trs 16-26

Louis Grabu: Suite in G (Incidental music from Act 3 of Rochester's play Valentinian)
The Parley of Instruments Renaissance Violin Band
Peter Holman (conductor)
HYPERION CDA66667 Trs 41-46.

Tracklist

Timings are shown from the start of the programme in hours and minutes.

1. --:--

   Henry Purcell — ‘When I am laid in earth’ [Dido’s Lament] from Dido & Aeneas

   Performer: Véronique Gens (soprano)
   Performer: Les Arts Florissants directed by William Christie

   ERATO 4509-98477-2, Tr 25
2. --:--

   John Blow — Act III from Venus & Adonis

   Performer: Rosemary Joshua (soprano)
   Performer: Gerald Finley (baritone)
   Performer: Clare College Chapel Choir
   Performer: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment directed by René Jacobs

   HARMONIA MUNDI HMX 2901684, T24-27
3. --:--

   Poems set by Henry Lawes, William Lawes, Francesco Corbetta and John Wilson — Henry Lawes’ Select Ayres & Dialogues (1669)

   Performer: Paul Hillier (singer)
   Performer: Nigel North (lute, theorbo, guitar)

   HARMONIA MUNDI HMU 907257, Tr 16-26
4. --:--

   Louis Grabu: — Suite in G major [also known as Incidental Music from Act III of Rochester’s play ‘Valentinian’ (1684)]

   Performer: The Parley of Instruments Renaissance Violin Band directed by Peter Holman

   HYPERION CDA66667, Tr 41-46

Broadcasts

1. Wed 7 Nov 2007
   12:00
   BBC Radio 3
2. Wed 7 Nov 2007
   20:45
   BBC Radio 3
3. Wed 18 Nov 2009
   12:00
   BBC Radio 3
4. Wed 18 Nov 2009
   22:00
   BBC Radio 3