'John Cooper' (around
1570 -
1626), also known as 'Giovanni Coprario' or 'Coperario', was an
English composer,
viol player and
lutenist.
He changed his name in the early 17th century. It is often said he did this after a visit to
Italy, though there is no evidence he had been to the country. From 1622 he served and may have taught the
Prince of Wales, for whom he continued to work upon his succession as
Charles I. His long time
patron was Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, for whom he taught
William Lawes.
Among Cooper's works are
fantasias,
suites and other works for
viols and
violins, and two collections of
songs, ''Funeral Teares'' (1606) and ''Songs of Mourning: Bewailing the Untimely Death of Prince Henry'' (1613). He also penned the treatise on composition, ''Rules how to Compose''.
External links
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