Composer, Instrumentalist. Born in the Greenwich borough of London, he was the illegitimate son of Alfonso Ferrabosco (1543-1588), the famous Italian-born composer who introduced the madrigal to England. The elder Ferrabosco was a favorite of Elizabeth I, and when he fled to his native country under suspicion of murder in 1578, the Queen paid for young Alfonso's rearing and musical education. He subsequently became a permanent fixture of the English court, serving (from 1601) as the Royal family's music instructor under Elizabeth, James I, and Charles I. Ferrabosco was noted as a virtuoso of the viol, a predecessor of the violin, and his most spirited music was composed for that instrument, some 50 extant chamber dances and fantasias. He also collaborated with dramatist-poet Ben Jonson and architect Inigo Jones on several elaborate masques (courtly entertainments), among them the "Masque of Blackness" (1604), "Hymenaei" (1606), "Masque of Beauty" (1607), "Masque of Queens" (1609), and "Oberon, the Faery Prince" (1611). Jonson dedicated a poem to him, calling him "My Excellent Friend". Most of his songs were published in the "Booke of Ayres" (1609). His later years were spent in debt over a failed scheme for various water rights on the Thames. Although he never visited Italy, Ferrabosco kept well-informed of musical developments there and he is credited with helping to spread the Baroque influence in England. His sons Alfonso III and Henry followed him into careers in music.
Composer, Instrumentalist. Born in the Greenwich borough of London, he was the illegitimate son of Alfonso Ferrabosco (1543-1588), the famous Italian-born composer who introduced the madrigal to England. The elder Ferrabosco was a favorite of Elizabeth I, and when he fled to his native country under suspicion of murder in 1578, the Queen paid for young Alfonso's rearing and musical education. He subsequently became a permanent fixture of the English court, serving (from 1601) as the Royal family's music instructor under Elizabeth, James I, and Charles I. Ferrabosco was noted as a virtuoso of the viol, a predecessor of the violin, and his most spirited music was composed for that instrument, some 50 extant chamber dances and fantasias. He also collaborated with dramatist-poet Ben Jonson and architect Inigo Jones on several elaborate masques (courtly entertainments), among them the "Masque of Blackness" (1604), "Hymenaei" (1606), "Masque of Beauty" (1607), "Masque of Queens" (1609), and "Oberon, the Faery Prince" (1611). Jonson dedicated a poem to him, calling him "My Excellent Friend". Most of his songs were published in the "Booke of Ayres" (1609). His later years were spent in debt over a failed scheme for various water rights on the Thames. Although he never visited Italy, Ferrabosco kept well-informed of musical developments there and he is credited with helping to spread the Baroque influence in England. His sons Alfonso III and Henry followed him into careers in music.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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