Antoine Boësset facts for kids
Antoine Boësset (born 1586 – died 8 December 1643) was a very important musician at the French royal court. He was known for his beautiful songs called airs de cour. Antoine Boësset and his father-in-law, Pierre Guédron, were the most influential musicians at the court of King Louis XIII during the first half of the 1600s.
Life at Court
Antoine Boësset was born in a town called Blois in France. He was baptised on 24 February 1587.
He started working for the king's musical group in 1613. He quickly moved up in his career:
- In 1617, he became the queen's music master.
- In 1620, he became a secretary for the king's household.
- In 1623, he became the surintendant (which means superintendent or head) of the king's music. He took over this important role from his father-in-law, Pierre Guédron. Antoine Boësset married Guédron's daughter in 1613.
He held all these important jobs at the same time until he passed away.
While working at court, he met famous thinkers like René Descartes and Marin Mersenne. Around 1640, Mersenne set up a friendly music competition between Boësset and a Dutch priest named Joan Albert Ban. They both had to compose music for a poem. Boësset was also one of the first composers in France to use something called basso continuo, which is a way of writing music where the bass line and harmonies are played continuously. He died in Paris.
Musical Works
Antoine Boësset wrote many different kinds of music. He was especially famous for his songs.
His main works include:
- 9 Livres d'airs de cour (Books of airs de cour): These were collections of songs for 4 or 5 voices. They were very popular and were published between 1617 and 1642.
- Dozens of airs de cour for voice and lute: These were songs for a singer accompanied by a lute, a stringed instrument similar to a guitar.
- Many ballets: He composed music for many ballets performed at court between 1614 and 1639.
- Church music: He also wrote three masses, five motets (religious choral pieces), and a Magnificat (a Christian hymn).
See also
In Spanish: Antoine Boësset para niños
