Purcell: If music be the food of love

As one of today’s most magic – not to say victorious – singers, whether on the opera stage or in the concert hall, Carolyn Sampson’s previous appearances on BIS have earned her high praise, for instance in American Record Guide (“Her tone is extraordinarily beautiful: natural, warm and unforced, with almost superhuman vocal athleticism”).

"The present record contains 13 of Purcell's most celebrated songs, each one of which is sung with intense feeling and, one feels, a familiarity with the music that only time can bring...[Deller] brings vivid characterization to every one of these pieces... No better example of his extraordinary sensibility is to be found than in his singing of Fairest Isle, without a doubt the loveliest performance of this song that I have ever heard....a fine and memorable recital by a great artist." Gramophone

"Hendricks' slender, sweet-toned soprano, with its distinctive quick vibrato, is still in fine shape." Gramophone, Awards issue

“The Evening Hymn is radiantly done, and so are many of the less well-known airs which regularly bring new revelation. Excellent recording, if with the voice forward, given striking extra presence on CD.”***Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

"The 16 Purcell songs and airs in this recital, some familiar, some rarely heard, are arranged in a pleasing order for continuous listening but, of course, can be selected or re-arranged at the touch of a CD button. Emma Kirkby's pure white tone is a joy throughout, her diction immaculate and her technique equal to all the demands of Purcell's many notes to a word... with nice decorations in repeated passages." - Gramophone

"Listen to the sheer quality of music-making as tenor John Mark Ainsley is alive to every halting breath of a song." The Times