Henry Purcell was a distinguished English composer and organist of the 17th-century Baroque era. As a boy, Purcell underwent training as a chorister in the Chapel Royal. The earliest sources depict Purcell’s departure from choir to studying with influential musicians John Blow, Christopher Gibbons, and Matthew Locke. Replacing Locke’s position as a composer for the violins (1677), Purcell focused on his devotion to the composition of sacred music and editing anthems by other composers. By the mid-1670s, Purcell became involved with music at Westminster Abbey (London), where he was paid to tune the organ and write a book of organ parts (1676). He would succeed John Blow as the organist of the Abbey and maintain post for the remainder of his life.

    In 1680, Purcell married Frances Peters and welcomed their first-born son, Henry (July 9-18, 1681). Following his son’s death, Purcell was admitted as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal on July 14, 1682. The accession of James Ⅱ led to the reorganization of the court musical establishment, which diminished the status of the chapel and Purcell’s position as instrument keeper (1683). During political and professional uncertainty, Purcell expanded the family with his daughter, Frances (1688), and his son, Edward (1689).

    The coronation of King William and Queen Mary (1689) allowed Purcell to pursue employment and compose the first of his many quintessential odes. During the 1690s, Purcell would compose a series of annual odes for Queen Mary of England and present various works at festivals, schools, and other organizations. Dido’s Lament: Dido and Aeneas (1689)  is a theatrically riveting piece modeled after John Blow’s Venus and Adonis, featuring soprano and baritone passages of expressive, mournful dialogue. The dramatic tempo and three distinctive ground bass airs bring richness to the piece while appealing to the heart with rendering tones. (300 words)

Holman, Peter. Thompson, Robert. "Purcell, Henry". Grove Music Online, 20 January 2001, https://doi-org.pointloma.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.6002278249. Accessed 6 February 2022.

“Purcell, Henry.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, Jan. 2018, p. 1; EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.pointloma.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=funk&AN=pu154100&site=ehost-live. Accessed 6 February 2022.

Radice, Mark A. “Henry Purcell’s Contributions to The Gentleman’s Journal, Part I.” Bach, vol. 9, no. 4, Oct. 1978, pp. 25–30. EBSCOhost, search-ebscohost-com.pointloma.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=92019848&site=ehost-live. Accessed 6 February 2022.

Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henry_Purcell_statue_on_the_Athe...