Which, of Michael Tippett or Henry Purcell was the earlier English composer?
Michael Tippett Sir Michael Kemp Tippett {'1': ", '2': ", '3': ", '4': "} (2 January 1905 – 8 January 1998) was an English composer who rose to prominence during and immediately after the Second World War. In his lifetime he was sometimes ranked with his contemporary Benjamin Britten as one of the leading British composers of the 20th century. Among his best-known works are the oratorio "A Child of Our Time", the orchestral "Fantasia Concertante on a Theme of Corelli", and the opera "The Midsummer Marriage".
Ode to St. Cecilia (Purcell) Hail! Bright Cecilia (Z.328), also known as Ode to St. Cecilia, was composed by Henry Purcell to a text by the Irishman Nicholas Brady in 1692 in honour of the feast day of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. Annual celebrations of this saint's feast day (22 November) began in 1683, organised by the Musical Society of London, a group of musicians and music lovers. Purcell had already written Cecilian pieces in previous years, but this Ode remains the best known. The first performance was a great success, and received an encore.