Henry Purcell 1659-1695 English Composer

Purcell composed music in a wide variety of forms. His Dido and Aeneas was the first major English opera. He also wrote church music, stage music, orchestral pieces, keyboard music, and more than 100 songs. His musical style was influenced by Monteverdi and the earlier English composers, William Byrd and Orlando Gibbons. In turn, his music influenced that of Handel.

Purcell's father was a gentleman of the Chapel Royal in London where musicians were trained for the royal service. It was there that Henry, his son, served as choir boy and received his early musical education. When his voice broke, he was appointed to a variety of music related jobs. As keeper of the King's instruments, he copied music and tuned the organ in Westminster Abbey. In 1677, he succeeded Matthew Locke as composer to Charles II and two years later, he succeeded John Blow as organist of Westminster Abbey. He retained these posts through the reigns of James II, William III, and Mary.

Purcell's official responsibility was to provide music for the court. Thus, he composed a variety of ceremonial odes and royal birthday greetings. However he was free (and indeed, if he wanted to eat well, obliged) to supplement his official income by composing for the events and annual feasts of various societies of churchmen, merchants, or gentry around London. He wrote extensively for the theater including music for King Arthur by John Dryden and for The Fairy Queen, and adaptation of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream.. H