Adriano Banchieri

Adriano Banchieri was a versatile organist and composer working in Northern Italy, especially Bologna, around 1600.  He was also author of several books not only on music but on Bologna customs and architecture.  He entered Benedictine Orders in 1587 at age 19, and soon became organist at S. Michele in Bosco, nr. Bologna in 1595.  He subsequently held positions at Imola, Gubbio, Venice (S.Elena), Verona, but in 1609 he returned to Bosco and remained there until his death in 1634.  Being a church organist did not prevent him from writing a wide variety of vocal and instrumental music from traditional polyphonic motets to ‘concerti ecclastici’ including ‘basso continuo’ . . . from “madrigal comedies” to instrumental ‘canzoni’ of which “L’Alcinagena” is an example.