Purcell, Henry

Purcell, Henry, the most eminent of English musicians, was born at Westminster in 1658, and was son of Henry Purcell, one of the gentlemen of the Chapel Royal appointed at the Restoration. He lost his father at the age of six, and was indebted for his musical training to Cooke, Humfrey, and Dr Blow. His compositions at a very early age gave evidence of talent. In 1680 he was chosen to succeed Dr Christopher Gibbons as organist of Westminster Abbey; and in 1682 he was made organist of the Chapel Royal. He wrote numerous anthems and other compositions for the church, which were eagerly sought after for the use of the various cathedrals, and have retained their place to the present day. Purcell's dramatic and chamber compositions are even more remarkable. Among the former may be mentioned his opera Dido and Æneas, written at the age of seventeen, his music to the Tempest, his songs in Dryden's King Arthur, his music to Howard's and Dryden's Indian Queen, to D'Urfey's Don Quixote, &c. A great many of his cantatas, odes, glees, catches, and rounds are yet familiar to lovers of vocal music. In 1683 he composed twelve sonatas for two violins and a bass. Purcell studied the Italian masters deeply, and often made reference to his obligations to them. In originality and vigour, as well as richness of harmony and variety of expression, he far surpassed both his predecessors and his contemporaries. His style foreshadows that of Handel. His church music was collected and edited from the original MSS. by Vincent Novello, in a folio work which appeared in 1829-32, with a portrait and essay on his life and works. A complete edition of his works, many of which are still in MS., was undertaken by the Purcell Society, instituted in 1876. Purcell died of consumption in 1695, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.