With Hail! Bright Cecilia, Henry Purcell, herald of the British Baroque, pays tribute to the patron saint of music through a score widely regarded as one of his masterpieces. Composed in 1692, this ode reflects both the artistic effervescence of 17th-century England and the central role of music in society at the time. Vincent Dumestre and Le Poeme Harmonique reveal the full expressive richness of Purcell's writing in a performance where jubilant brilliance, lyrical delicacy, and dramatic contrasts unfold with infectious vitality. Alternating between recitatives, solo arias, and sumptuous choruses, the score showcases Purcell's mastery of musical dramaturgy, balancing orchestral refinement with controlled theatricality. Album Tracks 1. Welcome every guest~Symphony 2. Welcome every guest~Welcome every guest 3. Welcome every guest~The sacred Nine 4. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Symphony, Canzona 5. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Adagio 6. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Canzona, Adagio 7. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Allegro, Grave, Allegro 8. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Hail! Bright Cecilia 9. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Hark! Hark! Each tree 10. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~‘Tis Nature’s Voice 11. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Soul of the World! 12. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Thou tun’st this World 13. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~With that sublime Celestial Lay 14. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Wondrous Machine! 15. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~The airy Violin 16. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~In vain the Am’rous flute 17. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~The fife and all the Harmony of War 18. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Let these amongst themselves contest 19. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328~Hail! Bright Cecilia