Purcell, Henry (c. 1659-1695)

English baroque composer. His works include the opera Dido and Aeneas (1689) and music for John Dryden's King Arthur (1691) and The Fairy Queen (1692). He wrote more than 500 works, ranging from secular operas and incidental music for plays to cantatas and church music.

Born at Westminster, he became a chorister at the Chapel Royal, and subsequently was a pupil of Dr John Blow. In 1677 he was appointed composer to the Chapel Royal, and, in 1679, organist at Westminster Abbey. As composer to the king, Purcell set odes and anthems to music.