Henry Purcell was a noteworthy English composer of the Baroque era. Known for his exquisite operas, semi-operas, songs, and his substantial contributions to sacred music, Purcell’s compositions have resonated across centuries, earning him the moniker, the “Orpheus Britannicus.”
Early Life and Education
Born around September 10, 1659, in the district of Westminster, London, Henry Purcell’s life was steeped in music from the very beginning. His father, a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, sang at King Charles II’s coronation, and his uncle Thomas was a musician. His younger brother, Daniel, would also later choose the path of music. After the unfortunate demise of his father in 1664, Purcell was placed under the guardianship of his uncle Thomas, who ensured his musical training.
As a young boy, Purcell joined the Chapel Royal as a chorister, studying under the tutelage of Captain Henry Cooke, Master of the Children, and later Pelham Humfrey, Cooke’s successor. It was during these formative years that Purcell honed his skills, becoming a proficient keyboard player and showing early signs of his compositional genius.
Career Beginnings
Purcell’s career took off when he was appointed the assistant to John Hingston, the royal instrument keeper, in 1673. By the time he was in his late teens, he was already a renowned keyboard virtuoso. His first significant appointment came in 1679 when he succeeded John Blow as the organist at Westminster Abbey, a prestigious position he held for the entirety of his life.
The following years saw Purcell flourish in his career. In 1682, he became one of the three organists at the Chapel Royal, and in 1683, he succeeded Hingston as the royal instrument keeper. Despite his royal duties, Purcell managed to explore other avenues, such as teaching and composing for various organizations.
The Master of Song
Purcell’s prowess as a composer truly shone in his songs. He had an innate ability to perfectly set English words to music, a talent that was recognized during his lifetime and continues to be celebrated today. His songs were primarily of two types: simple, strophic pieces that resembled folksongs, and more extended declamatory songs, often in multiple sections, where Purcell used distinctive musical figures to depict important words.
His songs found their way into many of his works, including his semi-operas, church music, and anthems. He was also known for his “Welcome Songs” and “Birthday Odes” for the court, which showcased his ability to combine lively music with poignant words.
Operatic Contributions
Though there was no public opera in London during Purcell’s lifetime, he made significant contributions to the stage, composing music for several plays and semi-operas. One of his most notable works is the opera “Dido and Aeneas,” which was performed at a girls’ school in Chelsea in 1689. This opera is celebrated for its dramatic intensity within a compact framework.
Purcell’s other significant stage works include the semi-operas “Dioclesian” (1690), “King Arthur” (1691), “The Fairy-Queen” (1692), and “The Indian Queen” (1695). These productions were elaborate staged plays with extensive incidental music, masques, pageants, and ballet sequences. Although they featured some of his best music, they are rarely revived today.
Sacred Music
Purcell demonstrated his versatility as a composer by creating a vast array of sacred music, including anthems, devotional songs, and other sacred works. His anthems, such as “Blessed are they that fear the Lord,” “Lord, who can tell,” and “I was glad,” were composed for special occasions and became integral to the rituals of the Church of England.
In 1694, Purcell composed “Te Deum” and “Jubilate Deo” for St. Cecilia’s Day, marking the first English “Te Deum” ever composed with orchestral accompaniment. This work was performed annually at St. Paul’s Cathedral until 1712, becoming a significant part of the British state funeral tradition.
Death and Legacy
Purcell’s life was cut short when he died on November 21, 1695, at the height of his career. The cause of his death remains a mystery, with speculations ranging from tuberculosis to hypothermia. He was buried next to the organ in Westminster Abbey, and the music he had composed for Queen Mary’s funeral was performed during his funeral.
Despite his untimely death, Purcell’s music continues to resonate across centuries. His innovative approach to composition, his ability to blend English counterpoint with expressive and dramatic word settings, and his mastery in setting English words to music have made him an enduring figure in music history.
While Purcell’s reputation has fluctuated over the years, his influence on the composers of the English musical renaissance of the early 20th century, most notably Benjamin Britten, is undeniable. Britten, who arranged many of Purcell’s vocal works for voice(s) and piano, once stated that Purcell’s music “speaks to us as directly and as vitally as if it were written yesterday, catching, as it does, every shade and inflection of speech and words.”
Purcell’s legacy also extends beyond his music. His life and contributions have been immortalized in bronze by the sculptor Glynn Williams, who created a memorial sculpture titled “The Flowering of the English Baroque.”
Henry Purcell’s life may have been brief, but his impact on the world of music was profound. His ability to blend diverse musical styles, his mastery of the English language, and his passion for music left an indelible mark on the Baroque era. His works continue to be celebrated and performed today, a testament to his enduring legacy as one of England’s most important composers. Truly, Henry Purcell was, and remains, the “Orpheus Britannicus.”