January 22 – Thomas Tallis and William Byrd are granted a 25-year monopoly for printing and selling part-music and manuscript paper by Queen Elizabeth I of England.
The first performance of a mixed consort takes place in the court of Queen Elizabeth I of England.[citation needed]
Elias Nicolaus Ammerbach – Ein new künstlich Tabulaturbuch (Leipzig: Johann Beyer for Dietrich Gerlach), a book of 40 motet intabulations and one praeambulum by various composers.
First book of madrigals for five voices (Venice: heirs of Girolamo Scotto)
Second book of madrigals for five voices (Venice: heirs of Girolamo Scotto)
Placido Falconio – Introitus et Alleluia per omnes festivitates totius anni for five voices (Venice: Antonio Gardano, sons), including the first appearance of basso seguente
Giovanni Ferretti – Second book of canzoni alla napolitana for six voices (Venice: heirs of Girolamo Scotto)
Andrea Gabrieli – First book of madrigals for three voices (Venice: Antonio Gardano, figliuoli)
Il secondo libro de madrigali a cinque voci de floridi virtuosi del Serenissimo Ducca di Baviera, an anthology of music by court composers from Munich, is published.
Kurtzer Ausszug der Christlichen und Catholischen Geseng, a defense of conservative music during the Reformation, is published.