Purcell: A Biography

Jonathan Keates

UPNE, 1996 - Music - 304 pages

With great skill and historical understanding, Keates follows Purcell through his extraordinarily prolific career, from chorister at the Chapel Royal, to composer for the theater and the court, to writer of sacred music, chamber music, and the triumphant Dido and Aeneas, the first British opera. Keates considers Purcell's musical studies with Pelham Humfrey and John Blow as well as his adaptation of Matthew Locke's innovative and colorful style. He provides a superb critical appreciation of Purcell's music in all its forms. Keates also discusses the musical history of the period, including the influence of French and Italian composers, whose music blended with and modified native traditions.

Contents

• A Peculiar Readiness of Fancy 1: 13
• Court Chapel and Stage: 50
• After the Italian Way: 86
• Fools and Fanaticks: 123
• Wayward Sisters: 165
• Bringing Home the Indies: 201
• The Last Song 2 3 8: 269

Bibliographic information

• Title: Purcell: A Biography; Music advisor to Northeastern University Press
• Author: Jonathan Keates
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: UPNE, 1996
• ISBN: 155553287X, 9781555532871
• Length: 304 pages
• Subjects: Music / History & Criticism