Biography and Chief Works of 

Henry Purcell

c.1659.

• Born in London, of a famous family of musicians.

• Father and uncle both Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal.

• Became a "Child” of the Chapel himself, under Captain Cooke.

1670.

• Composed music for the Chapel, when only 11.

1672.

• Cooke was succeeded by Pelham Humfrey, who had earlier been sent to France by Charles II to learn the new French style of music from Lully, and who encouraged it at the Chapel Royal.Purcell stayed on after his voice had broken, acting as copyist, etc., and became a pupil of John Blow.  Continued to compose songs and anthems.

1679.

• Succeeded Blow as organist of Westminster Abbey. (Blow may have made way for his brilliant pupil, and he took up the post again after Purcell's death.) Began to compose incidental music to plays.  Also wrote odes for special occasions.

1681.

• Married, and eventually had six children, though three died in infancy.

1682.

• Appointed organist of Chapel Royal.

• First works published:

• 12 sonatas for two violins, 'cello and harpsichord.  They are similar to those of Corelli, which were written about the same time, though they arc less violinistic.  Wrote his first ode for St Cecilia's day.

c.  1688-90.

• Wrote 'Dido and Aeneas', his only real opera, for the girls of Josiah Priest's boarding school at- Chelsea.  Continued to write music for plays, including Dryden's 'Diocletian' and 'King Arthur'.  Also wrote music for an adaptation of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', called 'The Fairy Queen', in which no words of Shakespeare's were set!

1695.

• Died in Westminster aged only 37.  Buried beneath organ in Westminster Abbey.  Tablet states that he "is gone to that Blessed Place where only his harmony can be exceeded."

Wrote much church music, including anthems such as 'Rejoice in the Lord alway', and 'O Praise God in His Holiness'.  Often set the psalms.  Rather theatrical and secular settings, based on French- style.  Fond of dotted rhythms, unexpected discords, and orchestral interludes.  Regarded as discreet entertainment for the Court.  Influenced Handel's choral music.

A large number of festival odes for special occasions, including three for St Cecilia's day, the greatest being 'Hail, bright Cecilia'.

Incidental music to many plays, such as 'Diocletian', 'King Arthur' (from which comes 'Fairest Isle'), 'The Libertine' (from which comes 'Nymphs and shepherds').  Also wrote many solo songs, in addition to those from his plays.