Henry Purcell

Henry Purcell was a famous English composer and organist.

He lived during the middle Baroque era. This was a time of grand musical styles. Purcell is often called one of the greatest English composers. His music had a style that was uniquely English. However, he also used ideas from French and Italian music. He was very busy making music throughout his life. He wrote more than 100 songs during his career.

Purcell's work included many different types of pieces. He wrote music for the church and for the stage. He also wrote music for kings and queens.

Purcell learned music from a very young age. He was born in Westminster in 1659. His father was a musician for the Chapel Royal. This means his father sang for the King. Henry studied under several important teachers. One teacher was Captain Henry Cooke. Another was Pelham Humfrey. He also studied with a man named John Blow.

Purcell was a chorister in the Chapel Royal. When his voice broke in 1673, he worked with an organ-builder. He began composing music when he was very young. Some say he wrote music at age nine. His first certain work was an ode written at age eleven.

Purcell's career moved through many important places. In 1676, he worked at Westminster Abbey. By 1679, he became the organist at Westminster Abbey. He also held the job of organist at the Chapel Royal.

He worked closely with the royal family. He wrote birthday odes for Queen Mary. He also wrote music for the coronation of King James II. Purcell spent many years writing sacred music for the church. This music was meant for special services and prayers. He even wrote a famous work for Saint Cecilia's Day in 1694.

One of his most famous works is an opera. This opera is called Dido and Aeneas. It was written between 1680 and 1688. This work is a major landmark in English music history. In this opera, the music carries the whole story. Purcell also wrote many semi-operas. In a semi-opera, the main characters speak their lines. Singers perform songs "for" the characters instead.

He wrote music for many plays by Shakespeare. One example is The Fairy Queen. This was an adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He also wrote music for the play King Arthur.

Purcell died in November 1695 at his home. He was only 35 or 36 years old. He was at the height of his career when he died. People felt great sadness when he passed away. They called him a "very great master of music." He was buried in the north aisle of Westminster Abbey. His wife, Frances, helped keep his music alive. She published many of his works in books. Because of her work, people can still hear his music today. His legacy lives on through the many songs he left behind.