Henry Purcell Program Notes and Sheet Music

Henry Purcell (September 10, 1659 – November 21, 1695) was an English composer of the Baroque period. He is considered one of the greatest English composers of all time, and his work has had a profound influence on the development of Western music.

Purcell was born in Westminster, London, into a musical family. His father, Henry Purcell Sr., was a musician in the Chapel Royal, and his mother, Frances Purcell, was a singer. Purcell began studying music at a young age, and he showed great talent for music. He studied at Westminster School, where he was a student of the composer John Blow.

In 1673, Purcell was appointed organist at Westminster Abbey. He also began composing music for the theater, and his first opera, Dido and Aeneas, was performed in 1689. Purcell went on to compose a number of other operas, including The Fairy Queen and King Arthur. He also composed a large body of secular music, including songs, odes, and anthems.

Purcell died in London in 1695 at the age of 36. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Purcell's music is characterized by its beauty, its emotional intensity, and its technical virtuosity. He was a master of counterpoint, and his music is known for its rich and complex harmonies. Purcell was also a gifted melody writer, and his songs are some of the most beautiful and memorable in the English language.

Purcell's music has been performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world for over 300 years. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period, and his work continues to inspire and entertain.