Born into a family of artists, Henry Purcell was immersed in music from an early age. A chorister at the Chapel Royal in London at eight, an organist at Westminster Abbey at fourteen, and a composer for the king’s violins at just eighteen, Purcell pursued a remarkably early career.

Interested in all genres and inspired by Monteverdi and Lully, he developed his own style by creating a distinctly English form of Baroque music. With a flawless career, this pioneer was recognized by his peers as a true musical genius, despite living only thirty-six years.