Composer

:

Henry Purcell

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1694

Average_duration

:

1:55

"What can we poor females do?" is a song composed by Henry Purcell in the 17th century. The song was written for the play "The Virtuous Wife" by Thomas Shadwell, which premiered in 1680. The song is a lament sung by the character Lady Cockwood, who is mourning the loss of her husband. The song is composed in three movements, with the first and third movements being in a minor key and the second movement in a major key. The first movement is slow and mournful, with a simple melody and sparse accompaniment. The second movement is more upbeat and features a more complex melody and accompaniment. The third movement returns to the mournful tone of the first movement, with a slightly more complex melody and accompaniment. The song is characterized by its use of chromaticism, which was a hallmark of Purcell's style. The chromaticism creates a sense of tension and unease, which is appropriate for the mournful subject matter of the song. The song also features Purcell's characteristic use of dissonance, which adds to the emotional intensity of the piece. Overall, "What can we poor females do?" is a beautiful and poignant song that showcases Purcell's skill as a composer. Its use in "The Virtuous Wife" adds to the emotional impact of the play and demonstrates the important role that music played in 17th century theater.

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