Brief Candles
With Donald Macleod. When Henry Purcell died in 1695 at the age of 36, he was hailed as the English
Orpheus. His epitaph in Westminster Abbey declares him "gone to that blessed place where only his harmony can be exceeded". In
Purcell's brief life, he had written music for every occasion, from church and tavern to stage and music room. This thoroughly professional composer and performer died in mysterious circumstances - could it have been death by chocolate? Peter Holman provides some expert evidence.
SOUNDING THE CENTURY