Hail! Bright Cecilia (Z.328), also known as Ode to St. Cecilia, was composed by Henry Purcell to a text by the Irishman Nicholas Brady in 1692 in honour of the feast day of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. Annual celebrations of this saint's feast day (22 November) began in 1683, organised by the Musical Society of London, a group of musicians and music lovers. Purcell had already written Cecilian pieces in previous years, but this Ode remains the best known. The first performance was a great success, and received an encore.
| Date of composition | 1692 |
| Type | Song(s) |
| Catalogue | Z. 328 |
| Instruments | Orchestra |
| Autotranslations beta |
Henry Purcell: Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328 "Ode to St. Cecilia" Henry Purcell: Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328 "Ode to St. Cecilia" Henry Purcell: Hail! Bright Cecilia, Z. 328 "Ode to St. Cecilia" |