Born in London's borough of Westminster in 1659, Henry Purcell began composing at a young age and by age 20 was appointed organist at Westminster Abbey.  He produced a significant catalogue of sacred works while setting the foundations of English opera and adapting the Baroque style to English tastes.  He also became the Chapel Royal organist in 1682.  He wrote anthems, poetry settings, marches and processionals, dramatic scores, elegies, operas... in short - varied and divers music, music of the highest order... music which is still played to this day.