Baroque · England and the Netherlands
1659 – 1695
London - London
Review
Child singer of the Royal Chapel and student of John Blow, was appointed organist of Westminster Abbey in 1679. He served Charles II, James II and William and Mary.
Dido and Eneas is the great English opera of the Baroque and its final lament, «When I am laid in earth», one of the most emotional pages of music. He died at only 36 years old and is buried in Westminster.
Main works
- Three-way sonatas (1683)
- Dido and Eneas Opera (c. 1688)
- Semiopera King Arthur (1691)
- Semiopera The Fairy-Queen (1692)
- Oda Hail, bright Cecilia (1692)
- Music for the funeral of Queen Mary (1695)
- Semiopera The Indian Queen (1695)
- Music for Abdelazer, with his Rondó (1695)
