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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Henry Purcell
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(1659–95) Composer who in his brief career was intensely involved in many aspects of the musical life of his time. He started as a chorister in the Chapel Royal; at the age of 15 he was tuning the organ in Westminster Abbey; at 18 he was appointed composer to Charles II's string orchestra; at 20 he became organist of Westminster Abbey. He was a prolific composer of songs and of 'fancies' for viols, together with trio sonatas and harpsichord suites; his church music includes the famous anthem My heart is inditing, written for the coronation of James II. Some of his music for the public theatres is still occasionally performed (for example The Fairy Queen, a masque of 1692 based on A Midsummer Night's Dream), but his most lasting contribution to the stage is Britain's earliest opera, *Dido and Aeneas.
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