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Track(s) taken from CDA66710

Ye happy swains, whose nymphs are kind, Z443

composer
The Theatre of Music I, 1685
author of text

Barbara Bonney (soprano), The King's Consort
Recording details: March 1994
Orford Church, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Produced by Ben Turner
Engineered by Philip Hobbs
Release date: March 1994
Total duration: 1 minutes 48 seconds
 

Reviews

‘An auspicious launch to a project that will probably have no real competiton for years to come; I recommend it heartily’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘An exceptional recording with consummate singing and playing which is worthy of pride of place in any vocal collection’ (CDReview)
Purcell’s charming setting was printed in 1685 as part of the first book of The Theatre of Music. The poet asks how he can be successful with his shepherdess, for he is, despite all his efforts, being rewarded only with disdain, and is enduring ‘Ten thousand tortures’ whilst ‘Languishing night and day’. In the third verse the poet asks Fate why he is being punished so severely; if he knows, he will repent. But, if it has been resolved that he must suffer this treatment for ever, he asks that she should continue to treat him so and, in breaking his heart, kill him.

from notes by Robert King © 2003

Other albums featuring this work

Purcell: The complete secular solo songs
CDS44161/33CDs Boxed set (at a special price) — Download only
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