Elizabethan Music

William Byrd’s early life is unknown; He is believed to have been born in London sometime between 1539 and 1545. The exact date is unclear. He was one of seven children. He had four sisters, Alice, Barbara, Mary, and Martha and two brothers, Simon and John. His parents were Thomas and Margery Byrd. There is no written record of William Byrd’s education, however he was a well-educated man, able to read and write very well in this time. William married in 1568 to a Juliana. They then had seven children and a lifelong happy marriage. He eventually after a strong career as a composer or chorister died on July 4th 1623 in a small village of Essex and was buried in an unmarked grave. William was a top composer in the Renaissance era and composed a large number of astounding musical pieces. Many believe that William Byrd outdid any other composers of his era and called him “a

In court music, the violin was a new instrument and was commonly used. Keyboard instruments were also used when it came to court music. It included the instruments like the spinet and the harpsichord. Believe it or not, but in the courts, they would sometimes have groups of people perform almost like an orchestra. Combinations of instruments would be played in front of the court and play certain music for them to impress them (Elizabethan Music, 2015). Court music also included court musicians to help lead the instruments that were being played.

The theatre has been a part of entertainment since ancient Greece, around 4th century BC or thereabouts. The theatre grew out of festivals in honor of the god Dionysus. Aeschylus created the first play in her honor. The first Greek plays were all tragedies but eventually comedy made its way and these plays were performed at festivals all over Greece. Through the centuries theater played the main role of entertainment from noble and royalty to the common person in any city or village, and as we move into the twenties

Music is present in every culture’s past, present, and future. It has been around since 500 B.C. and was especially important in the Elizabethan Era. There were reinventions of music as it was widespread and popular. Without this essential time in history, modern music may have been completely different from what we have today. This era brought new uses for music, styles of compositions, new instruments, and the uprising of popular composers.

How did Elizabethan theater affect popular entertainment? It affected popular entertainment massively at the time because it was very different than anything that had been popular entertainment before it and because even though it was popular it attracted a lot of criticism from the English Society. It came about in a time when drama shifted from religious to a secular function in society. The Elizabethan Theater lasted from the end of the 16th century and well into the 17th century. And it set out the stage for some actors very well-known even today.

Life for the women in the Elizabethan times was very hard. Women were expected to find some rich and successful guy to end up marrying and then expected to have babies and spend their life caring for the children, their husband, and their home. Women were not able to have paying jobs or schooling. All they did was clean and obey the men around

     The date of the composition of Twelfth Night is fixed around 1600 “during a period before a woman’s place was imagined as separate sphere, since, for the Renaissance, a woman was considered to be analogous to other social inferiors in a hierarchical society” (Malcolmson 161). During this time, England was enjoying a period of socio-political security and respect for the arts. Unfortunately, Elizabethan society was a masculine society in which women had little part. The female in Elizabethan society was not only subordinate to the male because of her unpredictability but also because of her nature as the "gentler sex." A woman was considered to be fit for homemaking and child-bearing; she was considered to have no

Elizabethan society discouraged and encouraged shakespeare's writings by becoming a very popular person to the public. He became a very big public person by being an actor, a playwright, and very big part of a company. The website states, “As an actor, a playwright, and a partner in a leading acting company, he became both prosperous and well-known” (“Shakespeare’s life”). This quote explains how he became very well known to the public because he made many achievements. Shakespeare

Because of all the little knowledge in the Elizabethan Era, daily lives were impacted, people turned to unusual medical theories which also impacted their everyday lives, and turning points in medicine occur. Little was known about how to treat serious diseases. People turned to different ways to cure themselves based on the kind of sickness they had acquired.

The music was played very often as a normal routine. People considered it a must to know how to play an instrument, sing, or be involved somehow with music in this age of time. Instruments in the 1600’s were able to make any type of music; the amazing part was no matter how many instruments you used it would always sound pure and the same. Another unique thing about the music and culture in the 1600’s is that it was also healthy for the body. During the Elizabethan Era the people would gather together to dance and dance for hours, their stamina must have been incredible. Music was use to entertain most people. Before the music became a big part in people life during the Elizabethan Era theatre played a really big part during this time. It

Literature has always inspired the musical world around us. One of the most notable examples being Shakespeare and his contribution to music from the 16th century to current times. Shakespeare was praised for his works and was constantly referred to in music pieces from around the world. Shakespeare became famous after his first poem and continued to become a famous playwright. Many musicians would soon swoon over his elegant thoughts on different concepts of life that he displayed in his plays. Shakespeare wrote many dramatic tragedy’s, some of the most famous being “Romeo and Juliet’ and “Hamlet”. Joseph Hayden was the first in the Classical Era of music to compose a piece based on Shakespeare’s writing. However, many artist would soon arise with their own works of music.

2. The Elizabethan theater represented a great source of entertainment because it provided what people wanted: dancing, games and plays at an affordable price.

Drama changed literature and theater into what it is today. I. History of Elizabethan Theater a. forming of theater 1. medieval church 2. mystery and morality b. actors 1. rogues and thieves 2. acting guilds II. Influences and people a. commanding actors 1. Shakespeare 2. Burbage b. other 1. wars of the roses (other historical influences) 2. laws restricting theater III. The theaters a. prices 1. seating 2. stage b. the theater and the globe 1. locations and characteristics 2. Burbage and other accomplishment Elizabethan Drama During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, England underwent a dramatic change in priorities. The importance of art and literature became highly prevalent. The impact of the Elizabethan drama and

English women were considered weaker and less intelligent, therefore, their opinions in life was limited. In judging behavior, the Elizabethans condemned the presence of women in some theaters. Despite the mens disapproval, a significant number of them did attend public plays.

The theater gained popularity based on the plays they would have showing. In most cases the plays would consist of humor, tragedy, or histories. Shakespeare was one of the most popular playwrights at this time, and many of his plays were performed in the Elizabethan theater. Among him were some other famous play writers,