The circulation of artists and sovereigns between France and England in the seventeenth century resulted in the establishment of highly original genres in the latter country: the first recitatives, large-scale airs from masques and dramatic ‘scenes’ provided fertile ground for experimentation and prepared the way for the birth of semi-opera. Sébastien Daucé explores this vocal art in a programme tailor-made for one of today’s most fascinating voices: Lucile Richardot, in the exquisite setting provided by Correspondances, subtly blends music, love, night and melancholy.

Tracklist

1. Care-charming sleep • Robert Johnson [1583-1633]
2. Whiles I this standing lake • William Lawes [1602-1645]
3. Go, happy man • John Coperario
4. What tears, dear Prince, can serve • Robert Ramsey [1590-1644]
5. Music, the master of thy art is dead • William Lawes [1602-1645]
6. No more shall meads • Nicholas Lanier [1588-1666]
7. Go, perjured man • Robert Ramsey [1590-1644]
8. Pavan in F-Major • John Jenkins [1592-1678]
9. Give me my lute • John Banister [1624/25-1679]
10. Howl not, you ghosts and furies • Robert Ramsey [1590-1644]
11. Britanocles the great and good appears • William Lawes [1602-1645]
12. Powerful Morpheus, let thy charms • William Webb [c.1600-1657]
13. Rise, princely shepherd • John Hilton [1599-1657]
14. Adieu to the pleasures • James Hart [1647-1718]
15. Amintas, that true hearted swain • John Banister [1624/25-1679]
16. Poor Celadon, he sighs in vain (Loving above himself) • John Blow [1649-1708]
17. Little Consort of 3 Parts, Suite III • IV. Saraband • Matthew Locke [1621-1677]
18. When Orpheus sang • Henry Purcell [1659-1695]
19. Phillis, oh! turn that face • John Jackson [-1688]
20. Amphion Anglicus • Epilogue "Sing, sing, Ye Muses" • John Blow [1649-1708]