Purcell, Henry. (1659 - 1695) & D'Urfey, Thomas. (1653 - 1723)
A Fool's Preferment, or The Three Dukes of Dunstable.
London: For Jos. Knight and Fra. Saunders. 1688. First edition. A Comedy as it was Acted at the Queens Theatre in Dorset-Garden...with all the the Songs and Notes to'em, Excellently Compos'd by Mr. Henry Purcell. Two parts in 1 vol. Small 4to. Title; Dedication [3 pp]; Dramatis Personae [1p]; Prologue [2p]; 1 - 85; Epilogue [2 pp]; Advertisement [1p]; Songs [1 - 16pp]. Fine hand stamped boards, in three-quarter brown leather, gilt-stamped title at spine. In very fine condition, with marginal tears to two pages, otherwise in very fine condition throughout. Complete with two title-pages, adverts, and 16 pp. of music by Purcell - seven solo songs and one duet.Zimmerman 571; Wing D-2729; RISM P5824; [Day & Murrie 99].
A very rare lifetime example of music composed by Purcell for the Comedy by D'Urfey, who also wrote the epilogue for Dido and Aeneas. "The play was not well received, and the London public expressed their disapporval so forcibly that it had to be taken off. Of the eight songs, which were apparently sung by William Mountfort, 'I'll sail upon the dog-star' is still popular with ambitious tenors." (J.A. Westrup, "Purcell," p. 77) (3210)
Printed Music Song