The development of British opera during the Baroque period~

Britain is a country with a musical and cultural tradition. British musicians made significant contributions to the development of European medieval and Renaissance music. Britain in the 17th century was an era of bourgeois revolution, and turbulent politics hindered the development of art. During the religious struggle, traditional music facilities and materials were severely damaged by the Puritans. The court was obsessed with Italian and French art. However, a British composer appeared during this period, and his music shined indelibly in European history.

Purcell held various positions as singer, organist and composer at the court. His compositions include choral hymns, carols, patriotic songs and scores for plays. The small opera "Dido and Aeneas" he wrote for a girls' boarding school showed his artistic creativity and became a long-lasting masterpiece of British opera. This opera draws on the experience of Italian and French operas, adopts some processing techniques with British national characteristics, incorporates national style tones, and has a simple and profound lyrical temperament. Dido's farewell aria "While I Sleep Underground" at the end of the play shows a shocking tragic power under the background of the steady bass of the orchestra.

After Purcell, the British music scene experienced nearly 200 years of silence and did not rise again until the 20th century. Therefore, Purcell has always been regarded as a symbol of British music.