Before the Restoration period, monarchs had valued music. In the 17th century, however, King Charles I seemed only interested in music from Italy or France. It was Charles II who, returning in 1660 from exile in France, brought with him a new enthusiasm for a more cosmopolitan approach to music.

In an attempt to improve church music, string orchestras were used to accompany singers. At the same time, Purcell and another composer, John Blow, restored the tradition of opera in England as well as the popular masque – a spoken type of entertainment interspersed with dances, ballet and songs.

Despite the poor resources and lack of support for English composers at the end of 17th century, Purcell showed himself to be a great composer in many diverse genres, including opera, church music, chamber music, keyboard music and music for the theatre.