“Govern'd by stops, Aw'd by dividing notes" The functions of music in the extant repertory of the Admiral's men 1594-1621

This thesis examines the functions of music in the extant repertory of a single playing company, the Admiral’s Men, at their primary venues between 1594 and 1621. Music’s effectiveness as a theatrical tool depends upon the presence of an audience willing and able to be affected by it. The mimetic relationship between representation in the playhouse and musical practices in the non-dramatic world allows that ability. This thesis traces the dissemination of musical behaviors and ideas to potential playgoers and offers a critical analysis of the evidence of musical performance and discourse in the repertory. Contrary to the long-standing reputation of the company as appealing primarily to a rough and rowdy audience (particularly at the first Fortune), the use of music throughout the repertory suggests the continuous presence of a socially diverse and musically literate body of theatrical patrons