Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell | |
|---|---|
Portrait by John Closterman, c. 1695 | |
| Born | c. 10 September 1659 Westminster, London, England |
| Died | 21 November 1695 (aged 36) Marsham Street, London, England |
| Education | Westminster School |
| Era | Baroque |
| Works | List of compositions |
| Children | 6, including Edward |
| Relatives | Edward Henry Purcell (grandson) |
Henry Purcell (/ˈpɜːrsəl/, rare: /pərˈsɛl/; c. 10 September 1659 – 21 November 1695) was an English composer of Baroque music, most remembered for his more than 100 songs; a tragic opera, Dido and Aeneas; and his incidental music to a version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream called The Fairy Queen.
Purcell's musical style was uniquely English, although it incorporated Italian and French elements. Generally considered among the greatest English opera composers, Purcell has been ranked alongside John Dunstaple and William Byrd in the pantheon of English early music.