Purcell, << PUR suhl, >> Henry (1659?-1695), was an English composer during the baroque period. He wrote religious music, as well as music for the theater and ceremonial music for the English court. Purcell is admired for his original harmonies and for his skillful setting of the English language in his choral music. Purcell was aware of musical developments in other countries. His trio sonatas and many of his songs for the theater are modeled on the Italian style. Some of his religious anthems imitate French fashions.
Purcell wrote one of the earliest English operas, Dido and Aeneas (1689). It contains a famous song, “When I am laid in earth” (“Dido’s Lament”), composed in one of Purcell’s favorite forms, called ground bass. This form uses a short melodic theme in the bass part repeated over and over with changing harmonies.
Loading the player...Dido and Aeneas
Purcell was born in London. As a boy, he sang in the choir of the Chapel Royal, the king’s private chapel. In 1679, Purcell was organist of Westminster Abbey, and in 1682 he became an organist of the Chapel Royal. He died on Nov. 21, 1695.
