Shelfmark
Fl.1.15
Author
Uniform title
[Vocal music. Selections]
Title
Orpheus Britannicus. A collection of all the choicest songs for one, two, and three voices, compos'd by Mr. Henry Purcell. Together, with such symphonies for violins or flutes, as were by him design'd for any of them: and a through-bass to each song; figur'd for the organ, harpsichord, or theorbo-lute. All which are placed in their several keys according to the order of the Gamut.
Varying form of title
Orpheus Britannicus. Bk. 1
Publication, distribution, etc.
London, : Printed by J. Heptinstall, for Henry Playford, in the Temple-Change, in Fleet-street,, MDCXCVIII. [1698]
Physical description
[2], vi, [2], 248 p., [1] leaf of plates : music, port. ; 33 cm. (fol.)
Note
81 songs taken from many different works by Purcell; for various vocal combinations and continuo (figured bass), some with instrumental parts, printed in score.
Note
Elegies for Purcell precede the music.
Note
Dedication signed: Fr[ances]. Purcell.
Note
Signatures: pi² a² c1 B-Z² Aa-Zz² Aaa-Rrr².
Note
"A table of the songs" (recto) and publisher's catalogue (verso): leaf c1, unsigned in some copies.
Note
The music is printed from moveable type.
Note
A second volume was published in 1702.
Note
Engraved frontispiece portrait of the composer signed: I. Closterman pinx R. White sculp.
Note
Title page printed in red and black with double lined border.
Citation/references note
Zimmerman, F. B. Henry Purcell 1659-1695 : an analytical catalogue, app. IV, 1698d
Citation/references note
Wing (CD-ROM, 1996), P4218
Citation/references note
RISM A/I, P 5979
Citation/references note
ESTC, R231719
Citation/references note
Day & Murrie. Songbooks, 166
Provenance
Engraved armorial bookplate of Edward Waddington, recording donation to Eton College in 1731. 18th-century engraved armorial bookplate of Eton College.
Binding
17/18th-century marbled calf; border of gold-tooled double fillets; inner frame of gold-tooled triple fillets with outer corner fleurons and inner corner-pieces tooled in gold; gold fillets and rolls in spine compartments; five raised bands; gold roll on board edges; gilt edges.
Copy-specific note
Previously Dn.2.06.
Copy-specific note
ECL copy with leaf c1 signed.
Subject
Songs with continuo Early works to 1800.
Subject
Vocal music Early works to 1800,
Subject
Songs, English 17th century.
Added entry--name
Closterman, John, 1656 - 1711 or 1713 illustrator.
Added entry--name
White, Robert, 1645 - 1703 engraver.
Added entry--name
Playford, Henry, b. 1657 - ? publisher.
Added entry--name
Heptinstall, John printer.
Added entry--name
Added entry--name
Waddington, Edward, 1670 or 71 - 1731 former owner.
Added entry--place
England London.
Identifier
B38575