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Thomas Morley

Queen Elizabeth Ist

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Short Biography of the life of Thomas Morley - Composer and Musician
The following biography information provides basic facts about the life Thomas Morley:

  • Nationality - English
  • Lifespan - 1557 - 1602
  • Born: Norwich, East Anglia, England

  • Died: Thomas Morley died in October 1602 in London
  • Family connections of Thomas Morley - His father was a verger at Norwich Cathedral
  • Education - Oxford degree in music
  • Religion - Catholic
  • Career - Composer and Musician - English madrigalist
  • Thomas Morley was referred to as a member of the English Madrigal School
  • Famous for : Plaine and Easie Introduction to Practicall Musicke (published 1597)

Short Biography, Timeline, Facts & History about the life of Thomas Morley - Composer and Musician
Elizabethan Musicians composed music for musical instruments and the voice. The Elizabethan Golden Age saw the emergence of the Anthem, the Madrigal, the Masque, the Theatre and the Opera and the emergence of new English music schools.  The following are additional facts about the bio, timeline, life and history of Thomas Morley:

  • 1557: Thomas Morley was born in Norwich, the son of a verger

  • As a boy Morley sang in Norwich Cathedral and then studied music with William Byrd
  • 1583: Thomas Morley became became master of choristers at Norwich Cathedral
  • 1588: Recieved Music Degree at Oxford University
  • 1588: Published his Musica transalpina, the collection of Italian madrigals
  • 1589: Morley was employed as organist at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London
  • 1589: Thomas Morley was employed as organist at St. Paul's Cathedral in London
  • Morley was believed to have known William Shakespeare and speculation that he composed some music for his plays
  • 1592: Morley granted the title of Gentleman of the Chapel
  • 1593: Canzonets for three voices dedicated to the Countess of Pembroke
  • 1596: Morley was granted by Queen Elizabeth the monopoly of music printing
  • 1597: The Canzonets for five and six voices
  • 1597: Published the Plain and Easy Introduction to Practical Music(1597), a manual of instruction for singing, vocal music and composition
  • 1598: Morley lived in the parish of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate, where Shakespeare also was living in 1598
  • 1601: Published the Triumphs of Oriana 
  • 1602:Thomas Morley died in October 1602 in London
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