Purcell: Songs from Orpheus Britannicus.

The music on the final recording, Henry Purcell: Grigs from Orpheus Britannicus (Astree Auvidis E8757, rec 1992), performed by Agnes Mellon, Christophe Rousset and Wieland Kuijken, comprises songs and keyboard music taken from the great collection of Purcell's music compiled after the composer's death by the publisher Henry Playford. Orpheus Britannicus was produced in two volumes, the first in 1698 and the second in 1702; various revised editions were to appear throughout the 18th century.

Does this recording do justice to its contents? On the whole, yes. It is a large collection, and the chosen pieces include some independent secular songs, songs from plays and …