Spring

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.

The Opera Ottone was written in 1723 for the Royal Academy of Music. The aria La Speranza eGuinta waschosen from it by Arthur Somervell as one of ten arias he arranged for Piano and Voice. It was re-titled Spring, with new English lyrics that bear no resemblance to the translation.

It isprinted here in twodifferent keys: in D for Low Voice and E for High Voice.