Luca Marenzio (died on the 22nd of August 1599) was a far-famed Italian composer and singer of the late Renaissance, who was born on the 18th of October 1553 or 1554. He was one of the most prominent composers of madrigals. In total, Marenzio wrote around 500 madrigals. His works...
Jacopo Peri known as Il Zazzerino: the inventor of opera
The Italian artist Jacopo Peri, who was known under the pseudonym Il Zazzerino, was born on the 20th of August 1561 (died on the 12th of August 1633). Born in Rome, he was a composer and singer of the transitional period between the Renaissance and Baroque styles. Il Zazzerino is...
Ferdinando I de’ Medici: a Cardinal who ascended to the ducal throne
Ferdinando I de’ Medici was born on the 30th of July 1549. He was the fifth son of Cosimo I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and his first wife, Eleanor of Toledo. Ferdinando’s older brothers were: Francesco, Giovanni (died of malaria at the age of 18), Pietro (passed away...