> ... Am I correct
>in assuming that both PUR-cell (in the US) and Pur-CELL (in the UK) are
>equally acceptable?
In my view, no. Both are acceptED (indeed, you hear "Pur-CELL" from some =
of
the [otherwise] best-informed Purcellians in the UK); but I am confident
that only one -- with the first syllable stressed -- can have been
acceptABLE in C17 England.
All of the numerous poetic references to the name support the pronunciati=
on
PUR-cell. English scansion does allow irregularities, but for unambiguous=
evidence no one need look beyond John Blow's setting of Dryden's ode on
Purcell's death (both poet and composer knew him well). I can't put my
hands on the score at this moment, but I ask Mr Howell to take my word fo=
r
it that the two passages in which the name is set to music -- "So ceased
the rival crew when Purcell came" and "The gods are pleased alone with
Purcell's lays" -- absolutely do not admit of any other pronunciation.
Cheers
Eric Van Tassel