Song For The Duke Of Gloucester's Birthday 1695 (Full Score)-Henry Purcell (1659-1695) held numerous appointments at the Royal court and Westminster Abbey and is considered by many to be the greatest ever English-born composer. His prolific work covered all fields: orchestral ecclesiastical operatic theatrical incidental and chamber music were all enriched by his output.One of Purcell’s last pieces Who Can From Joy Refrain? (Z 342) was written for the 6th birthday of Prince William Duke of Gloucester in June 1695. The Prince was said to enjoy the brash tone of the Trumpet so the prominent Trumpet part was written especially for him. Unusually Purcell also made use of therecently-introduced Oboe and Bassoon.A real asset to the catalogue A Song For The Duke Of Gloucester's Birthday showcases the very best of Purcell’s genius.

La Naissance d'Osiris opera-ballet by Rameau to a libretto by Louis de Cahusac Fontainebleau 12 October 1754 written to celebrate the birth of the Duc de Berry who became Louis XVI.DRAMATIS PERSONÆPamilie (Soprano)Un Berger (Countertenor Haute-contre)Le Grand Prêtre de Jupiter (Bass-baritone)Jupiter (Bass-baritone)L’AmourLes Gr cesBergers Bergères Prêtres PeuplesORCHESTRAMusettes2 Flutes2 OboesBassoonStringsBasso continuoDuration: circa 52 minutes

Georg Frideric Händel 's Serse (Xerxes) has everything one would expect from a Baroque opera - many intertwining love stories, affairs, intrigues, scheming, misunderstanding and forgiving - all presented in the great master's magnificent music. The opera is set in Persia in 480 BC and is very loosely based upon Xerxes I of Persia, though there is little in either the Baroque libretto or music that is relevant to that setting, the main focus is on the characters ( Serse , Arsamene, Amastre, Romilda, Atalanta, Ariodate and Elviro - some of which are based on real historical persons) and their plotting. The English version for the opera in three acts was made for the English National Opera's production, first performed in 1985, on the 300th anniversary of Händel 's birth. In this edition of the Vocal score with the original Italian and the later English lyrics accompaniment is provided by the instruments indicated in the orchestration (2 Recorders (or Flutes), 2 Oboes, 2 Horns in F, Trumpet in D, Strings and Continuo [Harpsichord, Cello, Double Bass, Bassoon]), but can also be played by the Piano. Serse 's part, originally sung by a castrato, can be performed by a Soprano or a Countertenor. / Chant Et Piano