Henry Purcell (1659 ~ 1695) is a Baroque composer whose style has been described as 'clear and bright, tempered by sorrowful beauty'. He was either the son of Henry or Thomas Purcell, who were both court musicians.
Works of his have been traced back to when he was just twenty-one years old, a year after he became the organist at Westminister Abbey. Purcell succeded Mr Blow as the organist, but Blow returned to the post when Purcell died fifteen years later.
Purcell wrote operas, chorals, church anthems, stage music, sonatas, suites and fantasias. His music flourished during the period after the Restoration of the monarchy, and much of his time was spent at the Chapel Royal writing theatre music including singing and organing has own compositions. His writing at this theatre started when he married in 1680/81.
Purcell's single full opera was entitled Dido and Aeneas.
Works of his have been traced back to when he was just twenty-one years old, a year after he became the organist at Westminister Abbey. Purcell succeded Mr Blow as the organist, but Blow returned to the post when Purcell died fifteen years later.
Purcell wrote operas, chorals, church anthems, stage music, sonatas, suites and fantasias. His music flourished during the period after the Restoration of the monarchy, and much of his time was spent at the Chapel Royal writing theatre music including singing and organing has own compositions. His writing at this theatre started when he married in 1680/81.
Purcell's single full opera was entitled Dido and Aeneas.