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Henry Purcell

Type Figure Region England Time c. 1659–1695 Also known as Purcell

Henry Purcell (c. 1659–1695) was the leading composer of Baroque music in England's Restoration era, organist of Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Roy…

Timeline

  1. 1659–1673Westminster · LondonBorn into a musical family in Westminster, he entered the Chapel Royal as a child to receive training in chant and court music. After his voice broke in 1673 he became assistant to John Hingeston, keeper of the king's instruments, and helped with organ tuning and copying music at Westminster Abbey.
  2. 1677–1688Westminster Abbey · LondonIn 1677 he succeeded Matthew Locke as composer for Charles II's string band; in 1679 he succeeded John Blow as organist of Westminster Abbey, and in 1682 also became organist of the Chapel Royal. During this period he wrote a great many anthems and birthday odes, and composed sacred works such as My Heart Is Inditing and I Was Glad for the coronation of James II.
  3. 1689–1695London · LondonAround 1689 he completed the English opera Dido and Aeneas, then scored semi-operas such as Arthur and The Fairy Queen for Dryden and others, fusing the French overture, dance rhythms, and English recitative. In 1695 he wrote funeral music for the funeral of Mary II, and died in Westminster on 21 November that year, buried beside the organ of the abbey.

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