Matthew Locke

Early in Locke's musical career, as a chorister at Exeter Cathedral, he became familiar with Gibbons and possibly with Prince Charles. It is also thought that he spent time in the Netherlands with the royal forces returning to England in 1651. The dominant genres in which Locke composed, were masques and operas. This began only two years after his return to England and he worked hand in hand with Gibbons. Early works included "Cupid and Death" as well as "The Seige of Rhodes." Locke was organist to the Queen by 1662 and he continued to compose works for the stage. An influence...