Henry Purcell

Born c. 1659, probably London.
Died 21 November 1695, London.

Purcell was a boy soprano in the Chapel Royal until his voice began to change; in 1679 he succeeded his teacher, the celebrated composer John Blow, as organist of Westminster Abbey. Shortly afterward he became an organist of the Chapel Royal, in which capacity he provided coronation music for James II (1685) and William III (1689), as well as some stunning funeral music for Queen Mary (1695, the year of his own death).

He composed in virtually every genre of the era: church music, odes and "welcome songs" for the court, secular songs, fantasias for viols and other chamber music, and suites for keyboards. His superb theater music, perhaps his most natural medium, attracted the attention of a large public. Most of this consists of songs, dances, and instrumental music for plays and "semi-operas" like King Arthur (1691), The Fairy Queen (1692), and The Indian Queen (1695). Dido and Aeneas, Purcell's chamber opera for a girls' school in Chelsea, is among his triumphs—one of the splendors of the Baroque.

Purcell's is a music of melodic expertise, harmonic daring, and an exceptional sensitivity to text that descends from Dowland and the madrigalists. In England his reputation is rivaled only by Handel's.

Works

Opera
Dido and Aeneas (1689)
    "Dido's Lament"

Other theater music, includes incidental music for dozens of plays
King Arthur (1691)
The Fairy Queen (1692)
The Indian Queen (1695)

Odes, etc. for the royal court (24+)
Anglican anthems and services, etc.

Instrumental music
Fantasias, Sonatas, etc.

Many songs and keyboard solos