Lyrics by Herrick, Shirley, Carew and anon., set by Henry Lawes , William Lawes and Nicholas Lanier
Compiled and produced by Douglas Cleverdon sung by Ann Dowdall , Marjorie Westbury
Maurice Bevan , James Atkins Charles Spinks (harpsichord)
Desmond Dupré (viola da gamba)
In these pastoral dialogues (composed during the reign of Charles I) the theme, whether dramatic or frivolous, was usually love; the characters were mythological or pastoral. The form was essentially dramatic and in its use of recitative foreshadowed the evolution of opera.