Purcell: O solitude - Scholl

Henry Purcell (1659-95) “O solitude my sweetest choice“ Z. 406 Andreas Scholl, countertenor Ensemble Artaserse Live recording Paris 2010-12-11 ******* Picture: Joseph Wright of Derby (1737-97) “Dovedale by Moonlight“ ******* O solitude, my sweetest choice! Places devoted to the night, Remote from tumult and from noise, How ye my restless thoughts delight! O solitude, my sweetest choice! O heav’ns! what content is mine To see these trees, which have appear’d From the nativity of time, And which all ages have rever’d, To look today as fresh and green As when their beauties first were seen. O, how agreeable a sight These hanging mountains do appear, Which th’ unhappy would invite To finish all their sorrows here, When their hard fate makes them endure Such woes as only death can cure. O, how I solitude adore! That element of noblest wit, Where I have