Calendar - Divine Hymns

As part of the Festival de Printemps - Les Arts Florissants

Divine Hymns
Festival de Printemps - Les Arts Florissants

Ensemble

Solistes et instrumentistes des Arts Florissants

Musical Direction and harpsichord

Cast

Natasha SCHNUR, soprano - Lauréate du Jardin des Voix 2017
Rebecca LEGGETT, mezzo-soprano - Lauréate du Jardin des Voix 2023
Paul AGNEW, tenor
Hugo HYMAS, tenor
Edward GRINT, bass

Program

John BLOW - Salvator mundi

Henry PURCELL - An Evening Hymn / Now that the sun hath veil'd his light

Pelham HUMFREY - Wilt thou forgive that sin

Henry PURCELL - Close thine eyes

Henry PURCELL - The night is come

Henry PURCELL - Oh all ye people clap your hands Z. 138

Pelham HUMFREY - Lord I have sinned

John BLOW - Peaceful is he and most secure

Henry PURCELL - In the midst of life

Henry PURCELL - Since God so tender a regard Z. 143

Henry PURCELL - Tell me, some pitying angel

Henry PURCELL - Hosanna to the highest

William CROFT - What art thou?

Henry PURCELL - Jehovah quam multi sunt

Henry PURCELL - Lord, What is man, lost man ?

Throughout the 17th century in England, many sacred works were composed for private musical practice... and devotion.

This purpose explains the intimate and moving tone of the works in this program, which places Henry Purcell in resonance with his contemporaries Pelham Humfrey, John Blow and William Croft, and in which the soloist's voice lets us hear the humility of the fallen man, the distress of the sinner facing God alone, and the fervent devotion of a pure heart.

A moment of emotion involving the two co-directors of Les Arts Florissants: William Christie and Paul Agnew!