Purcell, Henry : Ode on St. Cecilia’s Day 1692 Z 328

The Ode was admirably set by Mr. Henry Purcell, and performed twice with universal applause. (The Gentlemens Journal, 1692) The popularity of Purcells setting is apparent from the many sources that survive and from the printed extracts which appeared almost immediately after its first performance. The primary source for this edition is the largely autograph manuscript in the Bodleian Library. Rather to reduce the Orthography to a norm, the capitalization of the vocal Text favours Purcells preferences. (Christopher Hogwood)