The Purcell Compendium

Ground breaking and comprehensive reference volume covering an extensive range of Purcell studies, including his life and works, his milieu and the reception of his music to the present.


In the 30 years since the Tercentenary of Purcell's death in 1995 research into him and the musical culture of Restoration England has developed rapidly. Even the most authoritative books published then are now seriously out of date, and no-one since then has attempted to cover the whole range of Purcell studies. The book is largely taken up with A-Z dictionary entries, preceded by an up-to-date biography and followed by a work-list and bibliography. The dictionary includes entries for many of Purcell's works; the genres he contributed to; the titles and terms he used; the instruments he wrote for; the most important manuscript and printed sources of his music; and some pressing performance practice issues.

Important threads are devoted to people associated with Purcell, including earlier composers who influenced him; his fellow composers; his pupils and followers; those who provided him with texts to set; his patrons and employers; the most important copyists, publishers and instrument makers associated with him; and those contemporaries who wrote about him. The book breaks new ground by giving particular emphasis to his performers, including the most prominent singers and dancers he worked with; and the individuals and institutions responsible for maintaining (or sometimes altering) his legacy up to the present.