Henry Purcell's “O sing unto the Lord"

The Washington Bach Consort wishes a joyous and Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Our musical offering from the recent program, Orpheus Britannicus, is not a Christmas carol or an anthem about the Nativity. However, the text of Henry Purcell's “O sing unto the Lord” is Psalm 96—which is liturgically assigned to Christmas Eve. This captivating work was one of seven commissioned in 1687/88 by the Rev’d John Gostling, renowned basso profundo colleague of Purcell's in the Chapel Royal. This performance features the Bach Consort and Jonathon Adams (bass), with Amy Broadbent (soprano), Clifton Massey (countertenor), and Matthew Loyal Smith (tenor). Dana Marsh conducts.