Customer Reviews

The Bassanos: Venetian Musicians and Instrument Makers in England, 1531-1665

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Being a direct descendent of Anthony Bassano through the marriage of his daughter Lucrettia to Nicholas Lanier, I found the book to be fascinatingly informative of the personal relationships of the families and the times in which they lived. Henry VIII recruiting musicians from Italy and France created a musical court that rivaled any in Europe. Tlhe authors researching countless archives and being able to assemble a very flowing and readable book is an achievement in itself. Anyone who is a student of the Renaissance would enjoy reading this accurately detailed account of this denizened family from Italy in England.

This is an excellent history of the Bassanos in England during the years 1531-1665, especially in respect to their positions in the royal household and their activities as performers, composers, and instrument makers. For genealogy reserchers, such as this reader, the information isn't as complete as one might wish (no detail info about ancestors prior to about 1500 that has been documented), and there has been no effort to trace more recent descendants, nor was this intended (the object of the work was to accomplish the aims stated in the title). However, there are good leads for further research on the family in the notes section, where sources are listed for the family data that has been included.