Music in Purcell's London - an anniversary celebration at the British Library

On Saturday 4 October, the British Library and Purcell Society will mark anniversaries of three of London's leading 17th-century composers, Henry Purcell, John Blow and Giovanni Battista Draghi, with a study day at the British Library Conference Centre.

This event is open to everyone and provides a unique opportunity to explore the music of these composers in the company of some of the world's leading Purcell scholars and early music performers.  It will feature presentations by Rebecca Herissone, Christopher Hogwood, Peter Holman, Andrew Pinnock, Robert Thompson, Bryan White and Bruce Wood, as well as performances by Julian Perkins (harpsichord) and the Royal College of Music Baroque Ensemble. Renowned Purcell expert Sir Curtis Price will give the keynote speech.

In 1708, the English composer John Blow and his Italian-born contemporary Giovanni Battista Draghi both died in London. Blow and Draghi were major figures on London's musical scene in the 17th century.  As well as being highly-skilled composers and performers, both had a tremendous influence on the greatest English composer of the time, Henry Purcell.  This study day marks the 300th anniversary of Blow and Draghi's deaths, and the start of a year-long celebration in the UK of the 350th anniversary of Purcell's birth (in 1658 or 1659).  Subjects featured in this study day will include Purcell's keyboard music and anthems, and John Blow's role in the history of English opera. For more information, please visit www.henrypurcell.org.uk

Dr Sandra Tuppen, Curator of Music Collections at the British Library, commented: "I am delighted that the British Library is joining forces with the Purcell Society for this event. The British Library holds one of the world's most important collections of Purcell manuscripts, so it seems appropriate that this study day devoted to Purcell and his contemporaries should take place at the Library. It is a privilege to have so many eminent Purcell scholars speaking at the event."

Professor Bruce Wood, Chairman of the Purcell Society, said: "The British Library is generously hosting an event that will offer striking new perspectives on a very great English composer and his two leading contemporaries.  We hope the authoritative presentations and performances given on the study day will appeal to a wide range of music-lovers.  The occasion should prove a memorable one."

PRESS ENQUIRIES: Please contact Ruth Howlett at the British Library Press Office, +44 (0)20 7412 7112 or ruth.howlett@bl.uk

BOOKING INFORMATION AND GENERAL ENQUIRIES: Tickets are priced at £12 (£10 concessions for under 18s, over 60s, students, unwaged (ES40), Camden Leisure Card holders, BL staff and Friends of the British Library).  Tickets may be purchased online via the British Library Box Office at http://boxoffice.bl.uk or in person from the Information Desk in the Entrance Hall of the British Library. Please call +44 (0)20 7412 7500 for more information about the event.

Notes for Editor

The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world's greatest research libraries. It provides world-class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. The Library's collection has developed over 250 years and exceeds 150 million separate items representing every age of written civilisation. It includes books, journals, manuscripts, maps, stamps, music, patents, newspapers and sound recordings in all written and spoken languages. www.bl.uk

The Purcell Society was founded in 1876 to promote the music of Henry Purcell through publication and performance. Today, it exists to publish the complete works of Purcell in scholarly critical editions. The Society does not have a membership outside its Committee, which is made up of some of the leading scholars in the field of Purcell research. Since 2007, Stainer & Bell have been publishers of the Purcell Society Edition. Earlier Purcell Society volumes were published by Novello & Co. Also in 2007, the Purcell Society and Stainer & Bell launched a new Purcell Society Edition Companion Series featuring music by Purcell's contemporaries. The second volume in the series, John Blow's opera Venus and Adonis, and the new Volume 1 of the main series, will both be published to coincide with this study day.
www.henrypurcell.org.uk