Henry Purcell Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. In which year was Henry Purcell born?
A. 1655
B. 1659
C. 1663
D. 1667
Answer: B. 1659
Q2. Where was Henry Purcell baptized, indicating his likely birthplace?
A. Westminster
B. St. Paul’s Cathedral
C. St. Margaret’s Church
D. The Chapel Royal
Answer: A. Westminster
Q3. What was the profession of Henry Purcell’s father?
A. Court violinist
B. Gentleman of the Chapel Royal
C. Organist at Westminster Abbey
D. Composer for the theater
Answer: B. Gentleman of the Chapel Royal
Q4. Who arranged for young Henry Purcell to become a chorister at the Chapel Royal after his father’s death?
A. His brother Daniel
B. Dr. John Blow
C. His uncle Thomas
D. Pelham Humfrey
Answer: C. His uncle Thomas
Q5. Under which composer did Henry Purcell study after Pelham Humfrey’s death?
A. Henry Cooke
B. Matthew Locke
C. John Hingston
D. Dr. John Blow
Answer: D. Dr. John Blow
Q6. At what age did Henry Purcell’s voice break, ending his time as a chorister?
A. 12
B. 14
C. 16
D. 18
Answer: B. 14
Q7. In 1673, after his voice broke, what role did Purcell take at the court?
A. Assistant copyist
B. Junior organist
C. Assistant to John Hingston, keeper of the king’s instruments
D. Violinist in the king’s band
Answer: C. Assistant to John Hingston, keeper of the king’s instruments
Q8. In 1677, Purcell succeeded which composer as composer for Charles II’s string orchestra?
A. Dr. John Blow
B. Pelham Humfrey
C. Matthew Locke
D. John Jenkins
Answer: C. Matthew Locke
Q9. At what age did Purcell become organist of Westminster Abbey in 1679?
A. 18
B. 20
C. 22
D. 24
Answer: B. 20
Q10. Why did Dr. John Blow resign as organist of Westminster Abbey in 1679?
A. To focus on composing operas
B. Due to health issues
C. In recognition of Purcell’s superior talent
D. To take a position at the Chapel Royal
Answer: C. In recognition of Purcell’s superior talent
Q11. In 1682, Purcell was appointed as one of the organists for which institution?
A. Westminster Abbey
B. The Chapel Royal
C. St. Paul’s Cathedral
D. The Theatre Royal
Answer: B. The Chapel Royal
Q12. Purcell succeeded John Hingston as keeper of the king’s instruments in which year?
A. 1679
B. 1682
C. 1683
D. 1689
Answer: C. 1683
Q13. To whom did Purcell dedicate his set of sonatas published in 1683?
A. Queen Mary
B. Charles II
C. Dr. John Blow
D. His wife Frances
Answer: B. Charles II
Q14. In which year did Purcell marry Frances Peters?
A. 1680
B. 1681
C. 1682
D. 1685
Answer: A. 1680
Q15. How many children did Purcell and his wife have, and how many survived infancy?
A. Four, all survived
B. Six, two survived
C. Eight, five survived
D. Five, two survived
Answer: B. Six, two survived
Q16. What suspected illness might have contributed to Purcell’s death in 1695?
A. Plague
B. Smallpox
C. Tuberculosis
D. Gout
Answer: C. Tuberculosis
Q17. On what date did Henry Purcell die?
A. November 15, 1695
B. November 21, 1695
C. December 5, 1695
D. October 10, 1695
Answer: B. November 21, 1695
Q18. Who completed the music for The Indian Queen after Purcell’s death?
A. His brother Daniel Purcell
B. Dr. John Blow
C. Matthew Locke
D. Nahum Tate
Answer: A. His brother Daniel Purcell
Q19. What was Purcell’s only full tragic opera?
A. King Arthur
B. Dioclesian
C. The Fairy Queen
D. Dido and Aeneas
Answer: D. Dido and Aeneas
Q20. For which institution was Dido and Aeneas composed in 1689?
A. The Theatre Royal
B. A girls’ school in Chelsea
C. The Chapel Royal
D. Westminster Abbey
Answer: B. A girls’ school in Chelsea
Q21. Which semi-opera by Purcell was based on a play by John Fletcher and Philip Massinger?
A. King Arthur
B. The Tempest
C. Dioclesian
D. The Fairy Queen
Answer: C. Dioclesian
Q22. Who wrote the libretto for Purcell’s semi-opera King Arthur, premiered in 1691?
A. John Dryden
B. William Shakespeare
C. Nahum Tate
D. Thomas Betterton
Answer: A. John Dryden
Q23. The Fairy Queen is an adaptation of which Shakespeare play?
A. The Tempest
B. A Midsummer Night’s Dream
C. The Winter’s Tale
D. As You Like It
Answer: B. A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Q24. In which year was Purcell’s first known ode for St. Cecilia’s Day composed?
A. 1683
B. 1686
C. 1689
D. 1692
Answer: A. 1683
Q25. What series of ceremonial odes did Purcell begin composing in 1680?
A. Birthday odes for Queen Mary
B. Welcome Songs for Charles II
C. Funeral music for royals
D. Odes for the Musical Society
Answer: B. Welcome Songs for Charles II