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Adrian Le Roy
1520 - 1598
born in Montreuil-sur-Mer, composed during the Renaissance period
Biography
Adrian Le Roy was a versatile figure in the arts in sixteenth century France, successfully mixing the careers of composer, lutenist, guitarist, pedagogue, and music publisher. As a composer, Le Roy is best known for his chansons and works for lute, guitar, and cittern, instruments on which he was a virtuoso.

Le Roy was born around 1520 in the northern French town of Montreuil-sur-Mer. He came from a wealthy family, but little else is known about his early years. He was probably a choirboy and undoubtedly studied with accomplished teachers on his trio of favorite instruments.

By his early adult years Le Roy was an accomplished musician and around this time was taken into the service of two royal dignitaries, Claude de Clermont-Tonnerre and Jacques II, Baron de Semblançay. Le Roy likely performed regularly for them at private gatherings, probably presenting some of his own works.

The young musician's interest in publishing appears to have been kindled by his acquaintance, in 1546, with Paris editor Jean de Brouilly. Le Roy, already financially secure, if not wealthy, purchased property from Brouilly and later married his daughter, Denise.

In 1551 Le Roy, along with his cousin Robert Ballard, established a music publishing firm, Le Roy & Ballard, which was eventually headquartered in the former Brouilly residence, one of the purchased properties.