A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Allison, Richard
ALLISON, Richard, a teacher of music in London in the reign of Elizabeth, the particulars of whose birth and decease are unknown. His name first occurs as a contributor to T. Este's 'Whole Booke of Psalms,' 1592. A few years later he published on his own account 'The Psalmes of David in Meter,' 1599, a collection of old church tunes harmonised by himself in four parts, with an accompaniment for the 'lute, orpharyon, citterne or base violl,' and important as being one of the earliest to give the melody in the cantus or soprano part—the usual practice being to give it to the tenor. Allison advertises it 'to be solde at his house in the Duke's-place near Alde-gate,' and dedicates it to the Countess of Warwick. It is ushered forth by some complimentary verses by John Dowland, the celebrated performer on the lute, and others. He appears to have been patronised by Sir John Scudamore, to whom he dedicated his collection of part-songs entitled, 'An Houres Recreation in Musicke, apt for Instruments and Voyces,' 1606. This publication contains 'a prayer' set to music, 'for the long preservation of the king and his posteritie,' and 'a thanksgiving for the deliverance of the whole estate from the late conspiracie'—the Gunpowder Plot.
Allison, Robert, probably a relative of Richard, was a gentleman of the Chapel Royal. After serving in the royal establishment for twenty years he sold his place, Feb. 8, 1609–10, to Humphry Bache. (Allison's publications; Camd. Soc. Cheque-Bk. of Chap. Royal.)