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 e Guinta 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 is printed here in twodifferent keys: in D for Low Voice and E for High Voice.