Celebrating St Cecilia
Honouring the patron saint of music through the music of Purcell
Saint Cecilia’s day is 22 November so it is fitting that our concert on the 24th pays tribute to the patron saint of music. Purcell is frequently associated with St Cecilia because of his Ode to Saint Cecilia.
Purcell was born the year before the Restoration of Charles II to the throne and grew up in a country without music in public places since the closure of the theatres during the Commonwealth. The Chapel Royal was revived and Purcell was chorister then master of Music.
William and Mary came to the throne in 1689, the year of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. Our programme will end with the final scene from that great masterpiece. Purcell honoured Queen Mary during her short reign with a Birthday Ode, from which as shall perform Sound the Trumpet, and Elegy on the Death of Queen Mary, written shortly before his own death in 1695.
Performers
Nina Platts (soprano), Elizabeth Charlesworth (soprano), Naomi Jahoda (contralto), Melanie Musman (cello) and John Bashforth (keyboard continuo)
Programme
- Purcell: Evening Hymn
- Music for a While
- If music be the Food of Love
- Alleluya
- Shepherd, shepherd leave decoying
- Love thou art best
- Elegy for the Death of Queen Mary
- Dido's Lament and with Drooping Wings (Dido and Aeneas)
