MASTERS OF THE CHORISTER BOYS OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
MUSIC COPYISTS OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
| 1658. | Henry Purcell, the composer, born. |
| 1659. | Meeting of Purcell's father, Matthew Locke, and Pepys. |
| 1661. | Charles the Second crowned. Henry Purcell, the father, and Thomas Purcell, the uncle of the composer, attend the coronation as gentlemen of the Chapel Royal. |
| 1663. | Purcell's father appointed a member of the Royal Band. |
| 1664. | The father died. Purcell entered the Chapel Royal under Captain Cooke. |
| 1667. | Purcell's three-part song, "Sweet Tyraness," published. |
| 1669. | Purcell composed "An Address to the King." |
| 1672. | Purcell's master, Captain Cooke, died; succeeded by Pelham Humphreys. |
| 1674. | Humphreys died; succeeded by Dr. John Blow. |
| 1676. | Purcell appointed copyist of Westminster Abbey. Composed music for (1) "Epsom Wells;" (2) "Aurenge-Zebe; (3) "The Libertine." |
| 1677. | Purcell composed an Elegy on the death of Matthew Locke; also the music for "Abdelazor." |
| 1678. | Resigned the appointment of copyist at Westminster Abbey. "Sweet Tyraness," newly arranged, republished. Music for "Timon of Athens" composed. |
| 1679. | Composed music for Rev. John Gostling's voice. |
| 1680. | Appointed organist of Westminster Abbey. Composed music for (1) "The Virtuous Wife;" (2) "Theodosius;" and the Opera "Dido and Æneas." Also two Odes,
"A welcome song for his Royal Highness's return from Scotland," and "A song to welcome his Majesty home from Windsor." |
| 1681. | Composed an Ode for the King, "Swifter, Isis, swifter flow." |
| 1682. | Purcell appointed organist of the Chapel Royal. Composed an Ode for the King "On his return from Newmarket;"
also music for "The Lord Mayor's Show." His uncle Thomas died; a son, John Baptista, born and died. |
| 1683. | Sonatas of three parts published. Appointed "composer in ordinary" to the King. Composed three "Odes for
the festival of St. Cecilia;" also "A welcome song
for the King;" "Fly, bold rebellion;" and Ode, "From hardy climes," for Prince George of Denmark, on his marriage with the Princess Anne. |
| 1684. | Published a "St. Cecilia" Ode. Composed an Ode to welcome the King, "On his return to Whitehall after his
summer's progress." Performed on the new organ erected by Father Smith in the Temple Church. |
| 1685. | James II. crowned in Westminster Abbey. For the ceremony Purcell composed two Anthems, "I was glad,"
and "My heart is inditing." Composed an Ode, "Why are all the muses mute," in honour of the King. Also the music for "Circe." |
| 1686. | Composed "Lilliburlero," also the music for "Tyrannic Love." His brother and pupil, Daniel, appointed organist of Magdalen College, Oxford. His infant son, Thomas,
died. An Ode for the King, "Ye tuneful muses," composed. |
| 1687. | Composed an Elegy on the death of John Playford, the younger. An Ode for the King, "Sound the trumpet, beat the drum." Purcell's son, Henry, born and died. |
| 1688. | Purcell composed, by command, a thanksgiving Anthem for the Queen's pregnancy, "Blessed are they that fear the Lord." Composed also the music for "A fool's
preferment," an Ode "For the King," and the Anthem, "The Lord is King." A daughter, Frances, born. |
| 1689. | William and Mary crowned in Westminster Abbey. Purcell threatened, by Dean and Chapter of Westminster, with suspension. Composed "Celestial music" an Ode "At
the Prince of Denmark's coming home," also "The Yorkshire feast song." A son, Edward, born. |
| 1690. | Purcell composed an Ode, "Arise my muse," for the Queen's birthday, and another, "Sound the trumpet," for King William. Also music for (1) "The Tempest;"
(2) "Dioclesian;" (3) "Massacre of Paris;" (4) "Amphitryon." |
| 1691. | He composed music for (1) "Distressed innocence;" (2) "King Arthur;" (3) "The Gordian knot untyed;"
(4) "Sir Anthony Love;" also an Ode, "Welcome, glorious morn," for the Queen's birthday. |
| 1692. | He composed the music for (1) "The Fairy Queen" (and published "Some select songs" from that opera); (2) "The Wife's excuse;" (3) "The Indian Queen;" (4)
"The Indian Emperour;" (5) "Œdipus;" (6) "Cleomenes;" (7) "The marriage-hater match'd;" also an
Ode, "Love's goddess sure was blind," for the Queen's
birthday, and an Ode, "Hail, great Cecilia," for the anniversary of St. Cecilia. |
| 1693. | He composed a Commemoration Ode, "Great Parent, hail," for Trinity College, Dublin, and music for (1) "The old bachelor;" (2) "The Richmond heiress;" (3) "The
maid's last prayer;" (4) "Henry the Second." Also an Ode, "Celebrate this festival," for the Queen's birthday. |
| 1694. | He composed music for the first and second parts of (1) "Don Quixote;" (2) "The married beau;" (3) "The double dealer;" (4) "The fatal marriage;" (5) "Love
triumphant;" also the Te Deum and Jubilate in D for the festival of St. Cecilia, and an Ode, "Come, ye sons of art," for the Queen's birthday. "The art of descant,"
for John Playford. |
| 1695. | He composed Anthems for the funeral of Queen Mary, "Blessed is the man," and "Thou knowest, Lord." Two
Latin Elegies on the Queen. A birthday Ode, "Who can from joy refrain?" for the Duke of Gloucester.
Music for (1) "The Canterbury Guests;" (2) "The Mock Marriage;" (3) "The Rival Sisters;" (4) "Oroonoko;"
(5) "The Knight of Malta;" (6) "Bonduca;" (7) "The third part of Don Quixote." Purcell died Nov. 21st; buried in Westminster Abbey, Nov. 26th. |
| 1699. | Purcell's mother died. |
| 1706. | Purcell's widow died. |
| 1707. | Purcell's daughter married to L. Welsted. |
| 1710. | Purcell's son, Edward, married. |
| 1717. | Edward Purcell and Daniel Purcell, the composer's brothers, died. |
| 1726. | Purcell's son, Edward, organist of St. Margaret's, Westminster. |
| 1737. | Edward Henry Purcell, grandson of the composer, a child of the Chapel Royal. |
| 1738. | Purcell's son, Edward, organist of St. Margaret's, Westminster. |
| 1740. | Edward died. |
| 1753. | Edward Henry Purcell, grandson of the composer organist of St. John, Hackney. |
| 1765. | Not re-elected to St. John, Hackney. |