Matthew Peter King

Full biography Matthew Peter King

Matthew Peter King (c.1773 – January 1823) was an English composer who is well-known for his work in light operas. He is believed to have been born in London, although details of his early life are not clear. King composed music for various dramatic pieces, the majority of which were light operas, pantomimes, and farces that were popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Some of his notable works include "The Miller and His Men," "The Elementary Sketches," and "Lock and Key."

King was known for his ability to adapt quickly to different styles of music and write tunes that were simple yet catchy. His music was widely performed in London's theaters, and he was associated with the Royal Coburg Theater for several years. King's most successful operas were composed by adapting existing melodies, which was a common practice in 18th century opera. King was also known for adapting other composers' works and borrowing heavily from folk tunes.

Matthew King's contributions to the world of music have been acknowledged by various sources. His music was frequently performed in the 19th century and has since been rediscovered by modern musicologists. He is frequently mentioned in music history books as one of the leading composers of his time. Despite his contributions to music, his life is still largely unknown, and much of his music remains obscure.