Locke: Cupid and Death
Musica Britannica II - 2026 Edition
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
Shipping Policy- Composer: Matthew Locke (1621-1677)
- Binding: Hardcover
- ISMN:
- Size: 10.0 x 13.0 inches
- Pages: 108
Description
Cupid and Death is the only work of English musical theatre from before the 1680s for which the music has survived essentially complete, in the unique source of Matthew Locke's autograph manuscript, created for a production of 1659. Locke was one of the foremost English composers of the generation preceding Henry Purcell, at times conservative in his idiom but, in his setting of James Shirley's text, unreservedly embracing the up-to-date, expressive Italian recitative style.
Presented twice during the Interregnum, when public theatre was suppressed, Cupid and Death is steeped in the tradition of the allegorical court masque, yet also imbued with a seriousness reflecting its character as a ‘Morall Entertainment', eschewing the adulation of monarchy or rank. for the 1659 staging, Locke incorporated ayres, songs and choruses by Christopher Gibbons, which may also have formed part of the earlier staging of 1653.
This edition of Cupid and Death, based on exhaustive expert examination of the surviving sources, replaces Edward J. Dent's heritage edition, published in 1951 but dating back to the early twentieth century. An important new feature is a complete facsimile of the 1653 playbook, with editorial apparatus including a collation of typographical variants between the 1653 and 1659 printings of the masque. Another is the three-part, ‘trio sonata' scoring, using where appropriate Peter Holman's conjectural second violin part. This supersedes Dent's arrangement for four strings, more typical of later, Restoration theatre, and indeed of early twentieth-century performance practice.
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Digital Download
Digital, PDF version of the score.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Locke: Cupid and Death
