Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

The Italian Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina is one of the most important composers of the Renaissance. His oeuvre comprises around 950 compositions in the genres of motet, mass, madrigal, offertory, lamentatio, hymn, canzone, etc. His 'Missa Papae Marcelli' became particularly famous. His personal style, the contrapuntal vocal polyphony, predominantly a cappella, has become a model in church music for centuries. Palestrina was appointed papal singer at the Sistine Chapel in Rome in 1555 and was also organist and bandmaster in various churches in Rome and the surrounding area throughout his life.