Valentine, Robert 01/01/1680 - 01/01/1735

Robert Valentine (Roberto Valentini, Valentino) (* ca 1680 in Leicester; † ca 1735) was an English flutist and composer. He came from a well-respected family of musicians. Around the turn of the century he went to Italy, after 1714 he was active as a flutist and composer in Rome. It is reported, but not proven, that he returned to his native land in 1731. Nothing more is known of his life.



He wrote twelve sonatas for violin, several concerti grossi and above all compositions for flute in various arrangements. He wrote in the Italian style, but could not disguise his English origins in his melodies, a characteristic which helped him achive popularity. He was thereby the only member of his musically very active family who became known beyond the environs of Leicester.