George Hudson (composer)

George Hudson ( 1615 – 1672) was an English violinist, lutenist, singer, and composer of Baroque music. In collaboration with Charles Coleman, Hudson composed the instrumental score for The Siege of Rhodes, considered by music historians to be the first English opera. Life According to his contemporary Anthony Wood, Hudson may have begun his career as a dancing master. Though Hudson ultimately lost his position during the power struggles of the Civil War, he maintained a professional presence in London as an instructor of viol and voice. In May 1656, Hudson and several of his colleagues, including Cooke and Lawes, were commissioned by the impresario William Davenant to compose music for First Day’s Entertainment at Rutland House, a moral disputation consisting of music, dance, and declamation. Later that year, Hudson joined the creative team for Davenant’s subsequent work The Siege of Rhodes, for which Hudson co-wrote the instrumental music with Charles Coleman. After the Restoration, Hudson was appointed master of the King’s violins, one of the positions of leadership over which the Master of the King’s Music, Nicholas Lanier, was granted nominal control. Hudson directed the violi