Robert Jones (composer) facts for kids

Robert Jones was an English musician and composer. He lived from about 1577 to 1617. He was famous for writing many songs for the lute. The lute is an old string instrument, like a guitar. He was one of the most important lute song composers of his time. Another famous one was Thomas Campion.

Robert Jones's Life and Career

Early Life and Education

Robert Jones studied at Oxford University. He earned a music degree there in 1597. He went to a college called St. Edmund Hall.

A Teacher and Performer

Jones later ran a school in London. He also had a special permission from the Queen. This permission allowed him to train children for royal performances. These performances were called the Queen's Revels. He did this between 1610 and 1615.

In 1610, he worked with another musician, Philip Rosseter. They put on plays at the Whitefriars theatre. By 1612, Robert Jones was a "Gentleman of the Chapel Royal". This meant he was a musician who performed for the King or Queen.

His Musical Works

Robert Jones published five books of lute songs. These songs were simple and had beautiful melodies. He also published one book of madrigals. Madrigals are songs for several voices, usually without instruments.

He also helped create other music collections. These included The Triumphs of Oriana and Leighton's Teares. Many of his 27 madrigals are about birds. He wrote about birds that were happy, sweet, loud, or sad.

A very famous writer, William Shakespeare, even used one of Jones's songs. Shakespeare quoted 'Farewell, dear love' in his play Twelfth Night.

We do not know exactly when or where Robert Jones died. He passed away around 1617.

Known Publications

• The First Booke of Songes and Ayres, 1600, dedicated to Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester
• The Second Booke of Ayres, 1601, dedicated to Sir Henry Lennard, 12th Baron Dacre
• Third book, 1605, dedicated to Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales
• The first set of madrigals of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. parts, viols and voices, 1607, dedicated to Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury
• Ultimum vale, with a triplicity of musicke, ..., 1608
• A Musicall Dreame, or the Fourth Booke of Ayres ..., 1609, dedicated to Sir John Levinthorpe
• The Muses Gardin for delight, or the Fift booke of Ayres onely for the Lute, the bass Violl, and the Voyce, 1611, dedicated to Lady Mary Wroth