Matthew Locke

Matthew Locke, born around 1621 in Exeter, England, was a pioneering figure in the world of English Baroque music, leaving an indelible mark as a composer and music theorist. His career spanned a tumultuous period, including the English Civil War, yet his compositions remained steadfast in their innovation and beauty. Trained as a chorister at Exeter Cathedral under the tutelage of Edward Gibbons, Locke's early musical education laid the foundation for his future accomplishments. His work is noted for its structural complexity and rule-bending tendencies, earning him comparisons to the renowned Italian composer Carlo Gesualdo. Locke's contributions to stage music were particularly significant, establishing him as a leading composer before the era of Henry Purcell. His legacy endures, captivating audiences with its timeless elegance and historical depth.