The Fairy Queen is one of Henry Purcell's semi-operas which has derived from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Prelude or Overture, as it is sometimes called, is Italian in style. Purcell was attracted to this style of writing because of the counterpoint aspects. In the Prelude, both sections are fugal. The articulations must be matched throughout the ensemble since the work contains so much imitative writing. Scored for a five part flexible mixed woodwind ensemble.