A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Rossetor, Philip

ROSSETOR, Philip, a lutenist, who in 1601 issued 'A Booke of Ayres, set foorth to be song to the Lute, Orpherian, and Base Violl,' containing 42 songs, the poetry and music of the first 21 by Campion, and the rest by Rossetor himself. In 1609 be published 'Lessons for Consort: Made by sundry excellent Authors, and set to sixe severall instruments; Namely, the Treble Lute, Treble Violl, Base Violl, Bandora, Citterne, and the Flute.' On Jan. 4, 1610, a patent was granted to him and others appointing them Masters of the Children of the Queen's Revels, under which they carried on dramatic performances at the theatre in Whitefriars. In March, 1612, Rossetor's company was joined by 'The Lady Elizabeth's Servants,' but the union lasted for a year only. In 1616 a privy seal for a patent for the erection of a theatre in Blackfriars was granted to Rossetor, Philip Kingman, Robert Jones and Ralph Reeve, but the Lord Mayor and Aldermen compelled them to surrender it. [See Jones, Robert, vol. ii. p. 39b.]

[ W. H. H. ]