Who is Henry Purcell?
Henry Purcell, who lived during the Baroque era, was one of the greatest English composers of all time. He lived from 1659 to 1695. As a youth, he studied under some of the finest English musicians of the period. In 1679, he was appointed organist for Westminster Abbey, where he is buried. Purcell was also an organist for the Chapel Royal, the royal instrument keeper and a court composer. Despite the fact that he was an organist, he wrote little for this instrument. While he did write instrumental music, including the important viol fantasias, the vast majority of his output was in the vocal/choral realm. His only opera, Dido and Aeneas, shows his sheer mastery in the handling of the work’s vast expressive canvas, which included lively dance numbers, passionate arias and rollicking choruses. Purcell also wrote much incidental music for stage productions, including that for Dryden’s King Arthur. His church music includes many anthems, devotional songs, and other sacred works. Programme:
