Purcell was born in London in 1659. When he showed an early musical talent, his father, Thomas, a musician employed at the court of Charles II, placed his son as a choirboy at the Chapel Royal. For three years, from 1669 to 1672, young Henry sang and studied music. He published his first compositions, a group of songs, at the age of sixteen. He was also known to be associated with Westminster Abbey, tuning the organ and copying music, and became assistant to the "Keeper of the King's Instruments." In 1674 he became the pupil of the celebrated composer John Blow whom he succeeded in 1679 as organist of Westminster Abbey. Three years later Purcell was appointed organist of the Chapel Royal. By his 20th year Purcell was an influential composer. He was continually asked to write welcome songs for royalty and ceremonial odes. Between 1680 and 1691 he was called upon to compose music for more than fifty plays, masques, operas and other dramatic productions. The song, Man is for the woman made, (text by Peter Motteaux) is from a collection of songs titled Deliciae Musicae, Vol. III (1696), described on its title page as "a collection of the newest and best songs sung at Court and at the Publick Theatres, most of them within the Compass of the flute with a thorow-bass, for the theorbo-Lute, bass-viol, harpsichord, or Organ. Composed by several of the best masters."

-- Kendall Briggs