The year 1608 in music involved some significant events.

Events

• Claudio Monteverdi asks to be allowed to resign his post with Gonzaga family, Mantua
• On February 9, the masque The Hue and Cry After Cupid, written by Ben Jonson and designed by Inigo Jones, is performed at Whitehall Palace. The masque features the music of Alfonso Ferrabosco the younger.

Classical music

• Adriano Banchieri Festino, a madrigal comedy
• Girolamo Frescobaldi Il primo libro de' madrigali
• Girolamo Frescobaldi Primo libro delle fantasie
• Hans Leo Hassler Kirchenes ng, a collection of sacred songs, published in Nuremberg
• Robert Jones Ultimum vale, with a triplicity of musicke...
• Claudio Monteverdi Il ballo delle ingrate
• Thomas Weelkes Ayeres Or Phantasticke Spirites for three voices

Opera

• Claudio Monteverdi L'Arianna (mostly lost)
• Marco da Gagliano Dafne

Births

• date unknown Francisco Lopez Capillas, Mexican composer (died 1674)

Deaths

• October 26 Philipp Nicolai, composer (born 1556)
• date unknown
  • Lorenzino dai Liuti, lutenist and composer
  • Luca Bati, composer (born 1546)
  • Simone Verovio, printer of music books

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