Robert Jones

English composer and lutenist Robert Jones (c.1577-1617), the most prolific of the English lute song composers (along with Thomas Campion). He received the degree of B.Mus from Oxford in 1597 (St. Edmund Hall). He ran a school in London (records show that he had a patent (monopoly) to train children for the Queen's Revels between 1610-15), and in 1610 collaborated with Philip Rosseter to present plays at the Whitefriars theatre. He was recorded as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal 1612. He published five volumes of simple and melodious lute songs, and one of madrigals; he also contributed to the Triumphs of Oriana and Leighton's Teares. His 27 madrigals are mostly to texts about birds – birds merry, sweet, shrill, crowing or melancholic. William Shakespeare quoted his song, 'Farewell, dear love', in Twelfth Night. It is not know when or where Jones was born or died.

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