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When was Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen performed?
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Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell.
Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, an anonymous adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, was performed in 1692.12
While often referred to as the first Shakespearean opera, the work consists of music confined to interludes within a curtailed version of the play rather than a through-composed opera. In this production, Purcell utilized his talent for both comedy and passionate musical expression to enhance the dramatic experience for London audiences.21