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This ten‑session course offers a comprehensive introduction to the life, music, and legacy of Henry Purcell (1659–1695), one of the most original and influential composers in English musical history. Through guided listening, contextual study, and discussion, we will trace Purcell’s development from his early court appointments and sacred music through his inventive instrumental writing and celebrated theatre works. We will also explore the musical world of Restoration England, the institutions that shaped Purcell’s craft, and the enduring appeal of his expressive, harmonically adventurous style.
What will we cover?
Topics will include:
Purcell’s England — Restoration Culture and Musical Institutions
Early Works — Songs, Anthems, and the Chapel Royal
Sacred Mastery — Full Anthems, Funeral Music, and Liturgical Works
Instrumental Innovations — Fantasias, Sonatas, and Consort Music
Odes and Welcome Songs — Music for the Public and the Court
Purcell’s Theatre Music, The Fairy Queen and the Shakespearean connection, The Indian Queen, Dioclesian, and stagecraft
Dido and Aeneas — Opera, Emotion, and Tragedy, Dido’s Lament
Purcell’s Later Years — Stylistic Maturity and Final Works
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand Purcell’s life, career, and the musical environment of Restoration England • Identify key features of Purcell’s musical style across genres • Recognise his contributions to sacred music, theatre, song, and instrumental writing • Discuss Purcell’s lasting influence on English musical culture and beyond
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for learners at various levels and does not require the ability to read music. A general interest in Baroque music, English history, or opera will be helpful. Listeners already familiar with Purcell’s best known works may appreciate deeper analysis offered in the sessions. Complete beginners to classical music are welcome, though basic familiarity with Baroque music will enhance your experience.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. - Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom. - You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online in Google classroom after each session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes please visit Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Edward teaches music history and theory at City lit. His specialism is early music (medieval, renaissance and baroque) and he completed a PhD in historical musicology at King's College London (2013) on the performance of medieval music. Outside of teaching, Edward is a regular contributor to Gramophone magazine and has lectured for Dartington International Summer School, London's Southbank Centre and The British Library. He has also worked as a researcher for BBC Proms and written for the journal Early Music (OUP). His essays are published in: The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Historical Performance in Music, (Cambridge University Press); The Montpellier Codex: Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Music 16 (Boydell Press); Recomposing the Past: Representations of Early Music on Stage and Screen (Ashgate 2018); and 30-Second Classical Music (Ivy Press).
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/exploring-the-music-of-henry-purcell3034525Exploring the music of Henry Purcellhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring_the_music_of_henry_purcell_-_md504-1080.jpg299299GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/New courses228513141351136317431228513141351<p>Explore the remarkable achievements of England’s great Baroque composer. <strong>Break week: 29 Oct 2026</strong></p>003034372Exploring the music of Henry Purcell299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring_the_music_of_henry_purcell_-_md504-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-21T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedSep 2026Performing artsMD504299299Exploring the music of Henry Purcell239209299Edward Breenexploring-the-music-of-henry-purcell/md504-2627<p>Explore the remarkable achievements of England’s great Baroque composer. <strong>Break week: 29 Oct 2026</strong></p>0000-Available|2026-09-21 00:00:00<p>This ten‑session course offers a comprehensive introduction to the life, music, and legacy of Henry Purcell (1659–1695), one of the most original and influential composers in English musical history. Through guided listening, contextual study, and discussion, we will trace Purcell’s development from his early court appointments and sacred music through his inventive instrumental writing and celebrated theatre works. We will also explore the musical world of Restoration England, the institutions that shaped Purcell’s craft, and the enduring appeal of his expressive, harmonically adventurous style.</p><p>Explore the remarkable achievements of England’s great Baroque composer. <strong>Break week: 29 Oct 2026</strong></p><p>Topics will include:</p><ul><li>Purcell’s England — Restoration Culture and Musical Institutions</li><li>Early Works — Songs, Anthems, and the Chapel Royal</li><li>Sacred Mastery — Full Anthems, Funeral Music, and Liturgical Works</li><li>Instrumental Innovations — Fantasias, Sonatas, and Consort Music</li><li>Odes and Welcome Songs — Music for the Public and the Court</li><li>Purcell’s Theatre Music, <em>The Fairy Queen</em> and the Shakespearean connection, <em>The Indian Queen</em>, <em>Dioclesian</em>, and stagecraft</li><li>Dido and Aeneas — Opera, Emotion, and Tragedy, <em>Dido’s Lament</em></li><li>Purcell’s Later Years — Stylistic Maturity and Final Works</li></ul><p><br/> </p><p>• Understand Purcell’s life, career, and the musical environment of Restoration England<br/>• Identify key features of Purcell’s musical style across genres<br/>• Recognise his contributions to sacred music, theatre, song, and instrumental writing<br/>• Discuss Purcell’s lasting influence on English musical culture and beyond</p><p>The course is suitable for learners at various levels and does not require the ability to read music. A general interest in Baroque music, English history, or opera will be helpful. Listeners already familiar with Purcell’s best known works may appreciate deeper analysis offered in the sessions.<br/>Complete beginners to classical music are welcome, though basic familiarity with Baroque music will enhance your experience.</p><p>- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. <br/>- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.<br/>- You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.<br/> </p><p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online in Google classroom after each session.</p><p>To find out more about music history classes please visit <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual239299209MD504NONEMon21/09/26 - 30/11/2613:15 - 15:1513:1515:1510 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEdward BreenSome experience, AdvancedAvailable courses2026-09-21T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Performing arts299299Exploring the music of Henry Purcellexploring-the-music-of-henry-purcell/md504-2627<p>Explore the remarkable achievements of England’s great Baroque composer. <strong>Break week: 29 Oct 2026</strong></p>0000-Available|2026-09-21 00:00:00<p>This ten‑session course offers a comprehensive introduction to the life, music, and legacy of Henry Purcell (1659–1695), one of the most original and influential composers in English musical history. Through guided listening, contextual study, and discussion, we will trace Purcell’s development from his early court appointments and sacred music through his inventive instrumental writing and celebrated theatre works. We will also explore the musical world of Restoration England, the institutions that shaped Purcell’s craft, and the enduring appeal of his expressive, harmonically adventurous style.</p><p>Explore the remarkable achievements of England’s great Baroque composer. <strong>Break week: 29 Oct 2026</strong></p><p>Topics will include:</p><ul><li>Purcell’s England — Restoration Culture and Musical Institutions</li><li>Early Works — Songs, Anthems, and the Chapel Royal</li><li>Sacred Mastery — Full Anthems, Funeral Music, and Liturgical Works</li><li>Instrumental Innovations — Fantasias, Sonatas, and Consort Music</li><li>Odes and Welcome Songs — Music for the Public and the Court</li><li>Purcell’s Theatre Music, <em>The Fairy Queen</em> and the Shakespearean connection, <em>The Indian Queen</em>, <em>Dioclesian</em>, and stagecraft</li><li>Dido and Aeneas — Opera, Emotion, and Tragedy, <em>Dido’s Lament</em></li><li>Purcell’s Later Years — Stylistic Maturity and Final Works</li></ul><p><br/> </p><p>• Understand Purcell’s life, career, and the musical environment of Restoration England<br/>• Identify key features of Purcell’s musical style across genres<br/>• Recognise his contributions to sacred music, theatre, song, and instrumental writing<br/>• Discuss Purcell’s lasting influence on English musical culture and beyond</p><p>The course is suitable for learners at various levels and does not require the ability to read music. A general interest in Baroque music, English history, or opera will be helpful. Listeners already familiar with Purcell’s best known works may appreciate deeper analysis offered in the sessions.<br/>Complete beginners to classical music are welcome, though basic familiarity with Baroque music will enhance your experience.</p><p>- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. <br/>- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.<br/>- You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.<br/> </p><p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online in Google classroom after each session.</p><p>To find out more about music history classes please visit <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
