Who was Henry Purcell?
Music Composer.
Date and Place of Birth:
1659, London, England.
Family Background:
The son of Thomas Purcell a court musician and
Chapel Royal Chorister.
Education:
Apprenticed to the Keeper of the King's Keyboard
and Wind Instruments.
Chronology/Biography of Henry Purcell:
1660: (May) King
Charles the Second arrives back in London after the Interregnum.
(July) John Hingeston, Purcell's godfather appointed as the Tuner
and Repairer of His Majesties Wind Instruments.
1663: Birth of his
brother Daniel who was also later to become a composer.
1680: Began writing
incidental music for plays at the Duke of York's Theatre, London
by William Congreve and John Dryden amongst
others.
1661: His father
is appointed as Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey. (April)
Coronation of King Charles the Second.
1662: Purcell's
Uncle Henry appointed as Composer in Ordinary to the violins.
1664: Death of his
father. He is then looked after by his Uncle Thomas.
1668: Purcell becomes
a chorister in the Chapel Royal.
1670: Purcell completes
his first composition in honour of the King's birthday.
1673: He is taken
on as an assistant to John Hingeston. Retires from the Chapel Royal
choir.
1677: (September)
Appointed Court Composer after the death of Matthew Locke, a friend
of both his father and Uncle.
1679: His first
sacred works are produced early in the year. Appointed organist
at Westminster Abbey.
1680: Composes the
"String Fantasias".
1681: His first
child Henry survives for only a few days after baptism.
1682: Appointed
as one of the organists at the Chapel Royal. (July) Death of his
uncle Henry. (August) Birth of his second child which again only
survives for a few weeks.
1683: First publication
of "Sonatas of Three Parts". (July) "From Hardy Climes
and Dangerous Toils of War" first performed for the marriage
of King Charle's niece Anne. (December) Succeeds John Hingeston
as Keeper of the King's Keyboards and Wind Instruments.
1685: "Why
are all the Muses Mute?" first performed for the new King James
the Second. Composed the anthem "My Heart is Inditing"
for the Coronation.
1686: Third child
dies in infancy. (14th October) "Ye Tuneful Muses" performed
for the King's birthday.
1687: His fourth
child is buried after only surviving a few months.
1688: Composes eight
songs for "A Fool's Preferment" a comedy by Tom D'Urfey.
(May) Fifth Child Frances born. (December) King James flees England.
1689: (11th April)
Coronation of William and Mary. (September) Sixth child Edward born.
"Dido and Aeneas" first performed at Josia Priest's School
for Young Ladies in London.
1690: "Arise
my Muse" performed for the Queen's birthday. (May) King William
reduces the number of court musicians.
1691: King William
visits Holland taking most of his musicians with him. (April) "Love's
Goddess Sure was Blind" performed at the Dorset Garden Theatre.
(May) "The Fairy Queen" premieres at the Dorset Garden
Theatre.
1692: (November)
"Hail Bright Cecilia" performed on St. Cecilia's Day.
1693: (November)
"The Double Dealer" play is performed at the Theatre Royal
Drury Lane containing music by Purcell. (December) Seventh child
Mary Peters is born.
1694: (November)
"The Way of God is an Undefiled Way" is performed to welcome
King William back to London from the war in Flanders. "Te Deum"
and "Jubilate" performed for St. Cecilia's Day.
1695: (5th March)
Funeral procession of Queen Mary is accompanied by music by Purcell.
(April) "Abdelazer or the Moors Revenge" with music by
Purcell revives at Drury Lane. (August) "The Indian Queen"
first performed at the Dorset Garden Theatre.
Musical Works:
- 1680: "String
Fantasias".
- 1683: "Sonatas
of Three Parts".
- 1685: "My
Heart is Inditing".
- 1689: "Dido
and Aeneas".
- 1690: "Dioclesian",
"Arise my Muse".
- 1691: "King
Arthur"
- 1692: "The
Fairy Queene".
- 1694: "The
Way of God is an Undefiled Way".
- 1695: "The
Indian Queen" , "Abdelazer or the Moors Revenge".
Marriage:
1680 to Frances Peters.
Places of Interest:
LONDON:
Westminster Abbey
Drury Lane
Date and Place of Death:
21st November 1695, London, probably of tuberculosis
Age at Death:
37.
Site of Grave:
Nave, Westminster Abbey, London, England.
Westminster Abbey, London
(© A Blagg)
