Henry Purcell

Henry Purcell is considered the most important composer of the English High Baroque period. He gained his first musical experience as a singing boy in the Royal Chapel. In 1674 he became an organist at Westminster Abbey, three years later Composer of the Violins at Court, and in 1679 he finally became organist of Westminster Abbey himself. Purcell was promoted to organist of the Royal Chapel in 1683 and became the royal steward of instruments in 1683. This put an end to his political and social career and allowed him to concentrate on his musical work. From today's perspective, Henry Purcell appears to be the most important English stage composer of the era before George Frideric Handel.