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Nicolas Vallet

Nicolas Vallet was a French-born lutenist and composer, primarily active in the early 17th century, though not to be confused with a contemporary artist. His work is synonymous with the golden age of lute music in the Netherlands, where he spent much of his career. Vallet was born around 1583 in Corbeil-Essonnes, near Paris, but he moved to Amsterdam in the early years of the 17th century. There, he worked as a self-employed musician, a teacher and even ran his own lute school which contributed immensely to the spread of lute music's popularity in the Dutch Republic.

Vallet's contribution to the lute repertoire is particularly significant, with two major collections highlighting his prolificacy and virtuosity: "Le Secret des Muses" and "Secretum Musarum". These comprehensive collections not only showcased his skill as a composer but also served as instructional guides for students of the lute. His compositions are often intricate and elaborate, brimming with the courtly elegance of the period. While he did not achieve the same lasting fame as some of his contemporaries, like John Dowland or Francesco da Milano, Vallet's music is nevertheless celebrated for its rich harmonic textures and expressive melodies. Today, his works like the ones featured in "Dutch Light: The Lute Music of Nicolas Vallet" and "Nicolas Vallet: Le secret des muses" are studied and performed by lutenists interested in capturing the authentic sound and style of early Baroque music.

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