Purcell: Hail! bright Cecilia | B´Rock Orchestra & Vox Luminis

A hymn of praise to music itself: Henry Purcell’s “Hail! bright Cecilia” is a ceremonial ode to the patron saint of sacred music: Saint Cecilia. This exuberant vocal piece does indeed shines brightly in this interpretation by the Belgian “Vox Luminis” ensemble. The B’Rock Orchestra, also from Belgium, accompanies this musical celebration on historical instruments. Artistic director is the French conductor and bass Lionel Meunier. The concert took place in the year 2019 at the Concertgebouw Brugge. (00:00) I. Symphony (overture) (09:54) II. Recitative (bass) and chorus: Hail! bright Cecilia (14:04) III. Duet (treble and bass): Hark! hark! each tree (18:13) IV. Air (countertenor): Tis nature’s voice (22:52) V. Chorus: Soul of the world (25:02) VI. Air (soprano) and chorus: Thou tun’st this world (29:24) VII. Trio (alto, tenor and bass): With that sublime celestial lay (32:39) VIII. Air (bass): Wondrous machine! (34:57) IX. Air (countertenor): The airy v