‘The performances are matched by the outstanding engineering’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘An important milestone towards a new appreciation of Purcell’ (Gramophone)

‘Purcell's melodic and harmonic inventiveness has rarely been treated to such marvellous performances. If you have missed the earlier releases … I suggest that you begin collecting with this disc and obtain the remainder without fail’ (CDReview)

‘No one need ever record these works again: here is excellent singing, sensitive accompaniment, and care and attention lavished on every detail of phrasing and tempi’ (The Oxford Times)

‘Great wads of magnificent music that is far too rarely heard … King and his musicians have absolutely hit their rhythm in this series. Everything is excellently judged and sounds right’ (Gramophone)

‘The richness of Purcell's musical invention sweep all before it, and these records demand to be heard above all for "the greatest Genius we ever had"’ (The Sunday Times)

‘A revelation and a delight. Thoroughly recommended’ (Classic CD)

‘I find it difficult to conceive of better informed or more inspired performances than these … a treat to discover and a delight to return to’ (CDReview)

‘An important enterprise … is completed and crowned … a joy to listen to’ (The Spectator)

‘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)

‘A treasury of good performances. It could hardly be otherwise with this composer and this roster of singers’ (Fanfare, USA)