Composer

:

Henry Purcell

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Average_duration

:

2:48

'Ah! cruel nymph! you give despair, Z. 352' is a solo aria composed by Henry Purcell, one of the most prominent English Baroque composers. The piece was composed in the late 17th century and premiered in 1692. It is a part of the semi-opera "King Arthur" and is sung by the character Grimbald, who is a follower of the villainous Saxon king Oswald. The aria is composed in the key of D minor and consists of three distinct sections. The first section is slow and mournful, with the singer lamenting the cruelty of the nymph who has caused him such despair. The second section is faster and more agitated, with the singer expressing his anger and frustration at the nymph's actions. The final section returns to the slower tempo of the opening, with the singer resigning himself to his fate and accepting his despair. The piece is characterized by Purcell's use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of tension and unease throughout the aria. The vocal line is highly ornamented, with frequent runs and trills that showcase the singer's virtuosity. The accompaniment is provided by a small ensemble of strings and continuo, which provide a rich harmonic backdrop for the singer's voice. Overall, 'Ah! cruel nymph! you give despair, Z. 352' is a powerful and emotional piece of music that showcases Purcell's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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