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Purcell: Music for a While - EdexcelThe impact of Purcell and the composition

Henry Purcell was the leading English composer of his time, even composing for the Royal family. Music for a While was written by Henry Purcell as incidental music for the play Oedipus, written by John Dryden and Nathaniel Lee in 1692.

Part of MusicVocal music

The impact of Purcell and the composition

The Oedipus opera was a success even before Music for a While was added to the play in 1692. The stage production ran almost every year between 1978 and 1710.

The success of Oedipus enabled Purcell to write more music for the stage with Dryden, such as The Fairy Queen and The Indian Queen. Music for a While is still one of Henry Purcell鈥檚 most popular works and is regularly performed.

After 1692, he composed almost exclusively for voice including many art songs. These are songs for solo voice and accompaniment.

Purcell has had a major impact on music throughout the years. Benjamin Britten鈥檚 hugely popular Young Person鈥檚 Guide to the Orchestra samples a theme from Purcell鈥檚 Abdelazer.