Jean Boyer (composer)

Jean Boyer (born before 1600 – died 1648) was a French viol player and composer, active in Paris during the first half of the 17th century. He must not be confused with Noël Boyer, who was master of the music of the Duchess of Savoy and who in 1631 attempted to succeed as superintendent of the music of the king’s chamber. Biography The first mention of Jean Boyer is when he intervened regarding his cousin Jehan Bernard (c. 1631 – after 1711), who resigned his duties as cantor of the King’s Chamber and Chapel in Jean’s favor. The act specifies that Jean Boyer was son of the late Philibert Boyer, prosecutor in the court of Parliament, and that he was “experienced in the art of music, even on the lute and on the viols”. It was not until February 1617 that he appeared in ballet de cour, composing that year an aria for an unidentified ballet and another for the Ballet des Forgerons. He contributed to other ballets: in 1618 an air for the “Ballet de la Folie” and another for the “Ballet de M. de Nemours”, in 1621 an air for an unidentified ballet and another for the “Ballet des Indiens”, finally in 1626 for the Ballet du Grand bal de la Douairière de Billebahaut. The dedication of his bo