BaroqueHenry Purcell
Henry Purcell was born in London more than three hundred and fifty years ago, just as England got a king back after years when music had been almost forbidden.
Henry Purcell’s life
The big moments of this life, and what was happening in the world at the same time.
A life at a glance
- 1659👶 Birth
Born in Westminster, London
- 1660🏛️ Landmarkage 1
The monarchy is restored: Charles II becomes king
- 1666🌍 Meanwhile
Great Fire of London
- 1668📚 Trainingage 9
Choirboy at the Chapel Royal
- 1669🌍 Meanwhile
The Royal Academy of Music (Paris Opera) is founded
- 1677🎩 Careerage 18
Composer for Charles II’s violins
- 1679🎩 Careerage 20
Organist of Westminster Abbey
- 1680❤️ Private lifeage 21
Marries Frances
- 1682🌍 Meanwhile
The French court moves to Versailles
- 1685🎼 Workage 26
Anthem My heart is inditing for the coronation of James II
- 1687🌍 Meanwhile
Newton publishes the laws of gravitation
- 1689🎼 Workage 30
Dido and Aeneas
- 1691🎼 Workage 32
King Arthur, semi-opera
- 1695🕯️ Deathage 36
Dies on 21 November; buried in Westminster Abbey
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Excerpts of up to 90 seconds, freely licensed recordings from Wikimedia Commons.
Once upon a time…
Henry Purcell was born in London more than three hundred and fifty years ago, just as England got a king back after years when music had been almost forbidden.
As a boy he sang in the king’s choir. At twenty he became organist of the great Westminster Abbey! He wrote music for three kings and a queen.
He composed Dido and Aeneas, the story of a queen of Carthage abandoned by the hero Aeneas. At the end Dido sings an aria so sad that it still makes audiences cry today.
In King Arthur a character sings shivering with cold: the notes tremble like chattering teeth!
Henry Purcell’s instruments
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