A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Boesset, Antoine

BOESSET, Antoine, born about 1585, died 1643, 'conseiller du roi' and 'surintendant de la musique des chambres du roi et de la reine' under Louis XIII; composer of court ballets, 24 in number, and ten books of airs in four and five parts, which attained immense popularity in their day. An English translation of the first book of his airs appeared with the title 'Court Ayres with their Ditties Englished' (London, 1629). He was succeeded in his posts and titles at the court of Louis XIV by his son Jean Baptiste, born 1612, died 1685, and he, in 1667, by his son Claude Jean Baptiste, born about 1636, who composed, in addition to ballets for the court, a series of duets called 'Fruits d'Automne' (Paris, 1684).

[ M. C. C. ]