The Oedipus opera was a success even before Music for a While was added to the play in 1692. The stage production ran almost every year between 1978 and 1710.

The success of Oedipus enabled Purcell to write more music for the stage with Dryden, such as The Fairy Queen and The Indian Queen. Music for a While is still one of Henry Purcell’s most popular works and is regularly performed.

After 1692, he composed almost exclusively for voice including many art songs. These are songs for solo voice and accompaniment.

Purcell has had a major impact on music throughout the years. Benjamin Britten’s hugely popular Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra samples a theme from Purcell’s Abdelazer.