Purcell: One charming night (from The Fairy Queen, Z629) (Secrecie’s Song)

The greatest countertenor of today, Andreas Scholl returns to the Decca label with a recording of vocal jewels by the great baroque composer, Henry Purcell. This is Andreas Scholl's first ever recording of the music of Purcell and his uniquely beautiful voice is perfectly suited to the English composer's plangent melodies. The album includes pieces written for the stage, the church and the private chamber, some of which Andreas Scholl has sung in recital for many years, and some he sings for the first time.

Andreas Scholl's long-standing collaborators, ‘Accademia Bizantina’ bring out the Italian influence in Purcell's instrumental writing, and contribute orchestral items to the programme. 'O Solitude' is Andreas Scholl's first Decca album since the chart-topping ‘Handel: Arias For Senesino' in 2006.

The album includes the well known lament 'When I Am Laid In Earth' - recently voted the UK's No.1 favourite aria in a BBC Radio 3 poll - written for the character of Dido in Purcell's opera, Dido and Aeneas.

Andreas Scholl is joined for two duets by French countertenor Christophe Dumaux.

Since they were founded in 1979 Harry Christophers and The Sixteen have recorded over 100 discs of choral music spanning 600 years. On this new collection, CORO presents a selection of their most celebrated recordings of music by British composers.

From Tallis’s monumental Spem in Alium and Sheppard’s Media Vita in morte sumus to the delights of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen and MacMillan’s powerfully emotive A Child’s Prayer written in memory of the Dunblane tragedy, this disc provides a superb collection of works from some of Britain’s most eminent composers.

Stellar soloists including Michael Chance, Michael George and Mark Padmore all feature and there are works from The Sixteen’s Award-winning Handel recordings—Messiah and Coronation Anthems.

Sixteen tracks, eleven composers, and a feast of British choral music that will delight fans of The Sixteen as well as those new to the ensemble.

“Let these glorious sounds fill your ears and lift your spirits.” GRAMOPHONE

“Outstanding...astonishing stylistic and expressive range.” BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

“One of the finest choirs of our day.” GRAMOPHONE

Dorothee Mields has specialized in 17th and 18th century music from early on in her career and performs with the Collegium Vocale Ghent and the Bach Collegium Japan. Her artistic work and her repertoire extend from Monteverdi and Bach to Grisey and Furrer. The Lautten Compagney Berlin is one of the most renowned German baroque ensembles.

Two of the most accomplished vocal artists Canada has produced share their love of English song from Purcell's time: solo pieces and duets written for the theatre and for celebratory odes by the Orpheus Britannicus himself, as well as some tasty morsels by his greatest "disciple," John Eccles. John Blow and Henry's younger brother, Daniel, also add more than their two-pence worth. A very worthy band of instrumentalists complete the programme with a choice selection of "ayres" (in truth, instrumental suites) from two theatrical works to which Henry Purcell contributed.