Henry Purcell by John Closterman

Henry Purcell (1659 – 1695) is generally considered to be one of the greatest English composers.

He was born in St Ann’s Lane, Old Pye Street, Westminster – the area of London later known as Devil’s Acre – in 1659. His father (Also a Henry) was a gentleman of the Chapel Royal and sang at the coronation of King Charles II of England. Henry’s father had three sons: Edward, Henry and Daniel. Daniel Purcell, the youngest, was also a prolific composer who wrote the music for much of the final act of The Indian Queen after Henry Purcell’s death. Henry Purcell’s family lived just a few hundred yards west of Westminster Abbey from 1659 onwards.

After his father’s death in 1664, Henry was placed under the guardianship of his uncle Thomas, who showed him great affection and kindness. Thomas was himself a gentleman of His Majesty’s Chapel, and arranged for Henry to be admitted as a chorister.

Henry studied first under Captain Henry Cooke, Master of the Children, and afterwards under Pelham Humfrey, Cooke’s successor.  The composer Matthew Locke was a family friend and, particularly with his semi-operas, probably also had a musical influence on the young Purcell. Henry was a chorister in the Chapel Royal until his voice broke in 1673 when he became assistant to the organ-builder John Hingston, who held the post of keeper of wind instruments to the King.