Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell, born in 1659, was a leading English composer in the 17th century and is still considered one of the most important and influential composers of all time. He worked for the British Royal family and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
He died in his mid-thirties, at the peak of his career, in 1695. In his short life, he wrote for many different occasions. Purcell wrote many anthems - similar pieces of music to hymns - for the Church of England鈥檚 full morning and evening services. He composed music for over 40 plays, including Oedipus and Arthur. Purcell also wrote operas, such as the hugely popular Dido and Aeneas.
In his early career, Purcell wrote mostly instrumental music - for harpsichord and stringed instruments. It was later that he composed the majority of his vocal music, for the Church and for opera.