Ferrabosco, Alfonso (1543–1588)

Italian composer. He was the most important of the Italian musicians who lived in England in the 16th century. He wrote madrigals, lute pieces, and motets. Many of his works appear in Musica Transalpina.

He was born in Bologna, son of the singer and composer Domenico Ferrabosco (1513–1574). He settled in London before 1562; left the service of Queen Elizabeth I in 1569, after becoming involved in a murder case, and returned to Italy on leave, which he extended until 1572. In 1578 he left England for good and entered the service of the Duke of Savoy in Turin, leaving his children in England.

Works motets, madrigals, and other pieces.

Ferrabosco, Alfonso (c. 1575–1628)

English composer of Italian descent. He was left behind, being probably illegitimate, when his father Alfonso Ferrabosco left England in 1578. He was trained in music at Queen Elizabeth's expense, became one of James I's court musicians, and succeeded John Coprario as Composer of Music to the King in 1626.

Works Masques songs for masques by Ben Jonson, including The Masque of Blackness, Hymenaei, The Masque of Beauty, The Hue and Cry after Cupid, The Masque of Queens, Love freed from Ignorance and Folly.

Other fancies for viols; lessons for lyra viol; ayres with lute and bass viol; contributions to Leighton's Teares or Lamentacions.