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Henry Purcell

(1659-1695), Composer

Sitter in 11 portraits
Purcell, the pre-eminent composer of the Restoration period and the father of modern music in England, is said to have written his first composition at the age of eleven in honour of Charles II's birthday. He became organist of Westminster Abbey in 1679, and of the Chapel Royal in 1682. Purcell composed religious anthems, secular songs, instrumental pieces, odes, music for plays and 'semi-operas', and the famous Dido and Aeneas, one of the first English operas, and the Fairy Queen. According to John Evelyn he was 'esteemed to be the best composer of any Englishman hitherto'.

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Henry Purcell
by Unknown artist
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Henry Purcell
by John Closterman
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Henry Purcell
by or after studio of John Closterman
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Henry Purcell
by Robert White
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Henry Purcell
by Robert White, after John Closterman
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Henry Purcell
after Unknown artist
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Henry Purcell
after Unknown artist
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Henry Purcell
by William Nelson Gardiner, published by E. & S. Harding, after Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
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Henry Purcell
by William Humphrys, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
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Henry Purcell
by George Zobel, after John Closterman
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Henry Purcell
by George Zobel, after John Closterman
NPG D3979

Groups

Place

London

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Henry Purcell

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