September 10, 1659:
This is the possible date of birth of Henry Purcell, possibly in Westminster, Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
November 21, 1695:
Henry Purcell dies, probably of tuberculosis, at Westminster, London, Kingdom of England, aged perhaps 36 years, two months, and eleven days. His earthly remains will be laid to rest beside the organ in Westminster Abbey, London.
December 13, 1770:
King Arthur, or The British Worthy, a masque revival of Henry Purcell’s (†75) semi-opera with ten new songs by Thomas Augustine Arne (60) to words of Garrick after Dryden, is performed for the first time, in Drury Lane Theatre, London.
November 20, 1895:
As part of the bicentennial of the death of Henry Purcell, the Royal College of Music presents, at the Lyceum Theatre, the first performance of Dido and Aeneas since the composer’s life. The work is directed by Charles Villiers Stanford (43) and the student participants include Ralph Vaughan Williams (23) and Gustav Holst (21).
November 21, 1895:
A grand service of commemoration is held in Westminster Cathedral to mark 200 years since the death of Henry Purcell. Wreaths are laid at his grave by some of the most notable figures in British music, including Hubert Parry (47) and Charles Villiers Stanford (43).
June 10, 1911:
The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell (†216) is performed for the first time since the life of the composer, in Royal Victoria Hall, London, in a production by Morley College students led by Gustav Holst (36).
April 3, 1924:
A funeral service in memory of Charles Villiers Stanford takes place in Westminster Abbey. His ashes are buried in the north choir aisle of Westminster Abbey, next to the remains of Henry Purcell (†229).
November 21, 1945:
As part of the 250th anniversary of the death of Henry Purcell, Benjamin Britten’s (31) String Quartet no.2 is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
November 22, 1945:
As part of the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the death of Henry Purcell, Benjamin Britten’s The Holy Sonnets of John Donne op.35, a cycle for voice and piano, is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London by Peter Pears and the composer on his 32nd birthday.
September 19, 1958:
The ashes of the earthly remains of Ralph Vaughan Williams are interred in the north choir aisle of Westminster Abbey near the remains of Henry Purcell (†262) and Charles Villiers Stanford (†32), before a large assembly.
September 26, 1979:
The Magic Art: An Instrumental Masque Drawn from the Works of Henry Purcell for chamber orchestra by Charles Wuorinen (41) is performed for the first time, in St. Paul the composer conducting.
December 13, 1993:
Reports surface that a notebook of Henry Purcell (†298) containing 21 previously unknown compositions has been discovered by British antiquarian book dealer Lisa Cox.