Sheet Music: I Attempt from Love's Sickness

TitleI Attempt from Love's Sickness
from The Indian Queen
Alternate titlesI attempt from Love's sickness to fly in vain
Opus numberZ. 630
ComposerHenry Purcell (1659–1695)
InstrumentationFlute and Piano
KeyA major
RangeD#4–F#5
Time signature3/4
Tempo132 BPM
Performance time1:40
Difficulty leveleasy
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (114 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.4 MB)
Play-along accompanimentMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.4 MB)
Date added2014-09-12
Last updated2014-09-12
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 1.1 (average)
Categories
Baroque, Love songs, Opera excerpts

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Friday 12 September 2014

Tune of the Day: I Attempt from Love's Sickness

from Purcell's “The Indian Queen”, transcribed for flute and piano

“I attempt from Love's sickness to fly in vain” is a lively song from The Indian Queen, Henry Purcell's last semi-opera and his largest stage project in 1695. “Semi-operas”, also known as “English operas”, combined spoken plays with masque-like episodes employing singing and dancing characters.

The plot of The Indian Queen revolves around a war between Peru and Mexico. In the third act, the Spirits of the Air encourage Zempoalla, queen of the Mexicans, to forget her love for the Peruvian General Montezuma. Zempoalla acknowledges her incapacity to escape with the singing of “I Attempt from Love's Sickness”.

Thanks to Joe for suggesting this piece!