Coperario, Giovanni (c. 1570-1626)

English lutenist, viol player, and composer. He studied in Italy and on his return, about 1604, adopted the Italianized name of Coperario or Coprario. He taught the children of James I and was the master of William and Henry Lawes. In 1625 he was appointed composer-in-ordinary to Charles I.

Works The Masque of the Inner Temple and Gray's Inn (F Beaumont), The Masque of Flowers; Funeral Teares on the death of the Earl of Devonshire, Songs of Mourning on the death of Prince Henry (words by Campion); anthems; works for viols and for viols and organ; fancies for the organ based on Italian madrigals; lute music; songs and other pieces.