FOR SCHOOLGIRLS

Radio Record, 17 June 1938, Page 21

FOR SCHOOLGIRLS

PURCELL WROTE OPERA FOR YOUNG GENTLEWOMEN OF CHELSEA

HENRY PURCELL lived at a time when music had a place as one of the necessities of life. Pepys tells us, for instance, that when the Thames was covered with boatloads of salvage from the Great Fire of London, at least one in every three boats had a yirginal on board. Iiven the barbers’ shops of the Restoration age had instruments on which the waiting for one’s turn might be beguiled. But there was no great public interest in serious or thoughtful music. except in church. Though every stage piece had its songs and instrumental pieces, they seldom had much relation to the tragedy or comedy which was going forward; no one expected it of them. Purcell’s "Dido and Aeneas" was thus an amazing production-many geucrations in advance of its day. It was, briefly, a real opera, It was produced about 1688. The text is by Nahum ‘Tate, then Poet Laureate, and the work was first given ut Mr. Josias Priest’s School for Young (yentlewomen at Chelsea. It seems likely that Purcell himself conducted the work from the harpsichord. There are only two male parts among the nine

soloists. The schoolgirls formed the chorus. Just a word or two about the librettist : Nahum ‘Tate, un Irishman, is still the butt of critics’ jests, and the battle as to Whether or not he wag our worst Poet Laureate still rages. If he had given us nothing else but the Christmas hymn, "While Shepherds Watched,’ and the lovely verses "As Pants the Hart," he would. have earned our grateful remembrance. But he wrote much dreadful verse besides. Described by Oldys as "a free. good-natured, fuddling companion," Tate had «a sad end, dying in hiding from his creditors, On the death of an obscure lady of title he rhapsodised as follows :- Tears our vefreshnwent are, our sole Relief, To give Despair free scope, To set the sluices ope, ind roll with the impetuous tide of Grief." Very few present-day In Memuvriam culumngs could show a specimen to equi! this, Listeners to 4YA will hear a complete musical presentation of "Dido and Aeneas" on Sunday, June 19.