Despite his immersion in the composition of sacred music, Purcell retained a lifelong interest in the theatre – an aspect of his oeuvre that has been neglected. Among the authors of the five works on this recording were two of the most celebrated of the age – John Dryden and William Congreve – and for their ‘semi-operas’ Purcell produced incidental music and songs of vitality, wit, and imaginative text-setting that offer an intriguing look at the world of Restoration drama. Volume 1 is on 8570149.