Henry Purcell was an English composer from 1659-1695. He began composing at age 8 as a chorister at the Chapel Royal and later became organist at Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal, where he remained until his death at age 36. Though little is known of his early life and education, he was prolific and composed over 100 anthems, services, odes, 6 operas and more than 300 solo songs, duets, and trios, focusing primarily on vocal music for church, royal ceremonies, and the theater.

1. Henry Purcell
(1659-1695)

2. •Little is
known about
Purcell,
including place
of birth and
musical
education
•Began
composing at
age 8 when a
chorister at
the Chapel
Royal

3. •When his voice changed at age
14, he began assisting with the king’s
keyboard and wind instruments, and
began tuning the Westminster Abbey
organ at age 15.
•He later became organist at
Westminster Abbey (succeeding John
Blow) and then at the Chapel Royal.
•He remained at the Chapel Royal
until he died at age 36.

4. Approximate Output
•100 Anthems
•Several Services
•24 odes
•6 operas
•More than 300 solo
songs, duets, and trios

5. “His primary focus was vocal music: he
composed songs for home
performance, choral music for Anglican
services and royal ceremonies, and
music for the theater. Purcell’s
greatest gift lay in setting English
words movingly yet with natural
declamation.”
-A History of Western Music
(Burkholder, Grout and Palisca)