Frederick Rosse

Frederick Rosse (1867 – 20 June 1940) was an English composer of light music and operetta. After studying music in Germany and elsewhere, he began his career as a musical director at London theatres. He composed suites of incidental music for several plays, orchestral suites and songs. His "Doge's March" from his music for The Merchant of Venice was his most enduring piece.

Rosse was born on the Isle of Jersey. He was a godson of the celebrated actress Lillie Langtry, although she was only thirteen years old when she was given this responsibility. Rosse attended Harrow, a private boarding school in London, and studied music at the Conservatoire in Leipzig, Germany, as well as in Dresden, Brussels and Vienna. While in Leipzig, he shared lodgings with composer Frederick Delius.

He began his musical career singing the minor role of Takemine (Sergeant of the Governor's Guard) in the popular musical The Geisha at Daly's Theatre in London. He was eventually promoted to chorus master there and then became a musical director in several other London theaters. He began to compose music by 1895, soon writing suites of incidental music for several stage plays. His "Doge's March" for The Merchant of Venice, produced by Arthur Bourchier at the Garrick Theatre in 1905, was popular for many years. He also wrote orchestral suites that were not meant for the theatre, although some were inspired by plays.

By 1920, Rosse was the musical director of the Waldorf Theatre (which later became the Novello Theatre).

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