Henry Purcell

Nationality: English

Born: London, 1659

Died: London, 21^st November 1695

Type of music: Opera, instrumental music, odes, anthems

Main works: Dido and Aeneas (1689), King Arthur (1691), Te Deum and Jubilate in D (1694), Funeral music for Queen Mary (1695)

Most European countries had continuing musical traditions after the Renaissance period, however England's musical heritage was limited. Henry Purcell was the first prominent composer in England during the Baroque era.

His musical career started when he became a chorister at the Chapel Royal, and in 1679 he went on to succeed John Blow (1649-1708) as the organist of Westminster Abbey. In 1682 he attained the position of organist at the Chapel Royal and a year later was also an organ maker and 'keeper' of the king's instruments.

Purcell's court appointments included writing odes and welcome songs for various occasions and festivities. These works are some of his least well known with the exception of his 1692 Ode for St Cecilias day.

The last ten years of Purcell's life was spent writing music for stage, when Opera in England did not really exist as such. He wrote incidental music for several operas produced at London theatres. These included 'The fairy Queen' and 'The Tempest' which were loosely based on Shakespeare. He provided music for over 40 plays by prominent playwrights at the time.

Apart from dramatic music, Purcell's musical output was greatly varied, having written anthems, a Magnificat, a te deum, numerous solo songs and partsongs, instrumental music for fantasias, trio sonatas and keyboard music.

Among his last works include the funeral music for Queen Mary, which was used as his own funeral a short time afterwards, having died at the early age of 36.

"Mr Purcell, in whose person we have at length found an Englishman equal with the best abroad”. - John Dryden

Spotify link for the Classical Cafe playlist: 

https://play.spotify.com/user/1146446707/playlist/722kiKqGuaxYnbQqnjifAr