Purcell
Royal Welcome Songs for King James II
The Sixteen/Harry Christophers
CORO COR16151

Having already produced a selection of fine discs of Purcell’s more operatic works, Harry Christophers and members of his choir The Sixteen are embarking on a more in-depth exploration of the composer’s creativity over the next few years, running parallel to a residency at London’s Wigmore Hall. Each disc in this new series will include one or two royal ‘welcome songs’. As a court composer Purcell (like Bach, Lully and many others) could not escape the professional responsibility of regal adulation whether he liked it or not.

Peace and...