A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Purcell Society, The

by George Grove

PURCELL SOCIETY, THE. Founded Feb. 21, 1876, 'for the purpose'—in the words of the prospectus—'of doing justice to the memory of Henry Purcell, firstly by the publication of his works, most of which exist only in MS., and secondly, by meeting for the study and performance of his various compositions.' The 'Permanent Committee' consists of the Rev. Sir F. A. G. Ouseley, Bart.; G. A. Macfarren; Sir Herbert S. Oakeley; Sir John Goss; Sir George Elvey; Joseph Barnby; Joseph Bennett; J. F. Bridge; W. Chappell; W. H. Cummings; J. W. Davison; E. J. Hopkins; John Hullah; Henry Leslie; A. H. Littleton, Hon. Secretary; Walter Macfarren; Julian Marshall; E. Prout; E. F. Rimbault; Henry Smart; John Stainer; Rev. J. Troutbeck; James Turle.—The prospectus, issued May 16, 1876, contains a list of Odes and Welcome Songs (28), and of Operas and Dramas (45), by Purcell; and an announcement that the first works published would be the Yorkshire Feast Song, and the masque in 'Timon of Athens,' both in full score. The Yorkshire Feast Song was issued on Oct. 14, 1878, edited, with a preface, by Mr. Cummings, and beautifully engraved and printed. 'Timon of Athens,' edited by the Rev. Sir F. A. G. Ouseley, with a preface by Mr. Julian Marshall, is now due. The subscription to the Society is a 21s. a year for the publications, and 10s. 6d. extra for the music meetings. [App. p.766 "The edition of 'Timon of Athens' referred to in the last sentence but one of article, was issued in 1882. The music-meetings mentioned at the end were abandoned, and in 1887 the scheme, which had fallen into abeyance for a time, was re-organized by Mr. Cummings and Mr. W. Barclay Squire, who undertook the respective duties of editor and honorary secretary."]

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