Life
His entire creative trajectory, from training to full maturity, unfolded consistently within the period of Mannerism, of which he was an exponent in the field of sacred music.
Born in Bologna in 1559 or 1560, Paolo Cavalieri entered the musical Chapel of San Petronio as a cleric at a very young age (1571), where he received free instruction in grammar and singing. Still a teenager, he was appointed a cantor and introduced to the study of counterpoint, plainsong, and figured song.
From 1587 he was a subdiaconal mansionary of the cathedral of San Pietro and the following year rector of the chapel of Saints Quirico and Giulitta. In 1592 he obtained a doctorate in theology and became a member of the Sacred Theological College, contributing for twenty years to the conferring of academic degrees. In 1601 he participated as a theologian in the Congregation De auxiliis divinae gratiae.
In 1595 he taught singing to the clerics of the cathedral and held prominent chapter offices, eventually becoming President of the Congregation of the Eight. In his final years, he collaborated as a singing master for the clerics, assisting Lorenzo Vecchi, and was an examiner of plainsong for the College of the Archbishop's Seminary.
He died in Bologna in 1614 and was buried in the church of San Bernardino, remembered as a theologian and a most expert musician.
Aneddoto
Paolino the singer
As a boy, due to his early skill, he was affectionately called “Paolino” by his companions in the musical chapel of San Petronio.Works
In 1584 he composed the First book of madrigals for five voices, published the following year with a dedication to Cardinal Michele Bonelli Ghislieri. He continued to write sacred music alongside his religious duties, leaving evidence of a production that combined contrapuntal rigor and expressive sensitivity.
Briciole di storia
Pubblico dominio (Commons)
