Dido and Aeneas: Act III, Scene 2
Baroque English composer Henry Purcell the acknowledged greatest English composer, until the rise of Sir Edward Elgar at the end of the 19th century. He is best-known for his opera Dido and Aeneas, "The Golden Sonata," and his 1692 Ode for St Cecilia's Day, "Hail, Bright Cecilia."
Purcell lived during the English Restoration period, which encompassed the return of the monarchy in 1660 and Oliver Cromwell's Puritan rule. Before the arrival of Purcell, the English didn't possess a storied musical tradition like that of other European countries such as Germany and Italy. Purcell set about putting England on the "musical map".
Purcell's music is recognized for its bright spirit and sunny disposition, but his work is sometimes tempered with passages of sadness and intense emotional feeling.
Early Life of Purcell
He was born in London in 1659. His parentage is uncertain due to a lack of documentary evidence. At ten years old, he became a chorister of the Chapel Royal and received instructions from the famed English composer and organist John Blow.
Purcell was appointed assistant keeper of the instruments, and subsequently was named composer-in-ordinary for the violins when he was 18. Eventually he became Blow's successor as organist of Westminster Abbey, and organist of the Chapel Royal at 23. A year later, he was named keeper of the king's instruments and organ maker.
Later Life
Purcell's court appointments were renewed after Charles II's death. He composed numerous choral works especially for ceremonial occasions, in fulfillment of his duties as the court composer and organist at Westminster Abbey. He wrote the anthem "My Heart is Inditing" for the coronation of King James II, Queen Mary's Funeral Music, and music for other special occasions such as royal birthdays, marriage, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Purcell's Legacy
His music includes opera and incidental music for the stage, odes, anthems, and instrumental music. Purcell published his finest instrumental work "Fantasias for Strings" in 1680. His anthems are widely acclaimed as exquisite. His sonatas are said to be Corelli-influenced. The funeral music he composed for Queen Mary's memorial service was a moving tribute to the queen he served. This same music played at his funeral when he died at the young age of 36. Purcell died in Westminster, in the year 1695.
Henry Purcell's Most Famous Works
- Fantasias for Strings, 1680
- Ode for St Cecilia's Day, 1683
- Rejoice in the Lord Alway, 1685
- Song, "Evening Hymn", 1688
- Dido and Aeneas, opera, 1689
- Incidental music to King Arthur, play by John Dryden, 1691
- The Fairy Queen, semi-opera, 1692
- "Bright Cecilia", 1692
- "Music for a While" and "Nymphs and Shepherds", songs, 1692
- "Come Ye Sons of Art", including aria, "Sound the Trumpet", ode, 1694
- Queen Mary's Funeral Music, 1695
- The Indian Queen, semi-opera, 1695
- "The Golden Sonata" (Sonata No.9 in F major), for two violins, viola da gamba and keyboard, c.1695
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