Born:
Baptized on May 15, 1567
Birthplace:
Cremona, Italy
Died:
November 29, 1643 in Venice, Italy
Also known as:
One of the great contributors to opera and transitional figure from the Renaissance to the Baroque era.
Type of Compositions:
He wrote secular voice music, church music and stage music.
Influences:
Around 1590, he served in the orchestra of the Duke of Mantua, eventually becoming music director in 1602. In 1613, he became music director of St. Mark's in Venice.
Musical Work:
He wrote numerous operas, including his famous "La favola d'Orfeo" (premiered in 1607), "L'Arianna" (premiered in 1608), "The Return of Ulysses to His Country," "The Coronation of Poppea" and other stage works. He also wrote secular vocal music including 4 books of madrigals, sacred vocal music including church music for vespers, motets, psalms, masses and magnificats.
Interesting Fact:
Monteverdi published his first work at the age of 15. He wrote 4 operas in his 70s, of which only 2 survived ("The Return of Ulysses to His Country" and The "Coronation of Poppea").