Gentian

Gentian was a French composer active between late 1530’s and late 1550’s. Nothing is known about his life or career. About 20 chansons by him appear chiefly among Attaingnant publications. Du Chemin names as “Gentian,” although he is notable for having composed the first known setting of a poem (the sonnet “O foible esprit”) by Joachim du Bellay, an important figure in French literature from the second half of the sixteenth century. [Note