Throughout history, many monarchs have been passionate about music—not just as patrons but as performers, composers, and connoisseurs. Here are 15 rulers whose love for music shaped their reigns and left a lasting impact on musical history.
1. Henry VIII of England (1491–1547)
A skilled musician, singer, and composer, Henry VIII played the lute, organ, and virginals. He composed numerous pieces, including the well-known Pastime with Good Company, and maintained an opulent court teeming with musicians, making music a central feature of Tudor cultural life.
2. Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603)
Elizabeth I was a talented lute player with a keen ear for music. She deeply valued the work of composers like William Byrd and Thomas Tallis, under whose patronage English sacred music reached new artistic heights during her long and culturally rich reign.
3. Louis XIV of France (1638–1715)
The “Sun King” made music and dance central to court life. He performed in lavish ballets and supported the composer Jean-Baptiste Lully, whose operas and courtly music helped shape French Baroque style. Louis transformed Versailles into a stage for theatrical and musical spectacle.
4. Frederick the Great of Prussia (1712–1786)
Frederick was an accomplished flutist and composer, studying under the great Johann Joachim Quantz and composing over 100 sonatas and concertos. His musical salons featured top talents like CPE Bach, blending artistic excellence with Enlightenment ideals in the Prussian court.
5. Catherine the Great of Russia (1729–1796)
A passionate patron of the arts, Catherine introduced Italian opera to Russia and invited major composers to her court. She established the Imperial Theatres and laid the foundations of Russian musical institutions, bringing European musical grandeur to Saint Petersburg.
6. Maria Theresa of Austria (1717–1780)
Maria Theresa was an enthusiastic supporter of music, an accomplished keyboardist, and a great patron of Haydn, who served at her court. Her reign fostered a flourishing Viennese musical culture and set the stage for Austria’s later dominance in classical music.
7. Charles III of Spain (1716–1788)
Charles III loved opera and significantly developed Spain’s musical life by inviting composers like Domenico Scarlatti and Luigi Boccherini to his court. His reign marked a cultural flowering, particularly in Madrid, where he promoted both Italian opera and native Spanish forms.
8. Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845–1886)
A romantic idealist and devoted patron of Richard Wagner (with whom he's pictured here), Ludwig II financed Wagner’s monumental operas, including Tristan und Isolde and The Ring Cycle. He also built Neuschwanstein Castle—an architectural tribute to the mythic, musical world he so admired.
9. Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (1819–1901)
Queen Victoria was a keen amateur pianist and singer. Alongside Prince Albert, she actively supported music and cultivated relationships with leading composers like Mendelssohn (pictured here with Albert and Victoria) and Arthur Sullivan. Their reign saw classical music flourish as a symbol of refined Victorian culture.
10. Edward VII of the United Kingdom (1841–1910)
Edward VII was a passionate supporter of opera and played a major role in elevating it within British high society. He enjoyed piano and was a key patron of the Royal Opera House, helping establish London as a centre for musical excellence.
11. Alfonso XIII of Spain (1886–1941)
Alfonso XIII championed Spain’s musical identity, supporting composers like Manuel de Falla and encouraging the national zarzuela tradition. His reign saw renewed interest in Spanish musical heritage, with the monarchy playing a vital role in promoting national artistic pride.
12. Nicholas II of Russia (1868–1918)
Russia’s last Tsar, Nicholas II, was deeply fond of music. He played the balalaika and supported major Russian composers including Rachmaninov and Glazunov. The imperial court remained a cultural beacon during his reign, even as the empire neared its dramatic end.
13. Haakon VII of Norway (1872–1957)
A dedicated violinist, King Haakon VII actively supported Norwegian music and arts. He celebrated national composers like Edvard Grieg and helped elevate Norway’s cultural standing by promoting its classical traditions at home and abroad during a time of national transformation.
14. Emperor Meiji of Japan (1852–1912)
Emperor Meiji revolutionized Japan’s musical landscape by introducing Western classical music, establishing military bands and orchestras, and supporting cultural exchange. His modernizing vision brought about a unique fusion of Western harmony and traditional Japanese aesthetics that reshaped the nation’s musical identity.
15. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (b. 1940)
Queen Margrethe II is a passionate advocate for the arts and plays the piano herself. Throughout her reign, she has actively supported Denmark’s musical institutions, including orchestras and festivals, and remains a steady and visible patron of Danish classical music.
All pics: Getty Images
