Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525–1594) was an influential Italian composer and madrigalist who lived during the Renaissance, born to Santo (Sante) and Palma Pierluigi in either Palestrina or Rome. Palestrina appears to have first begun his education in music at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where he likely would have studied under Robin Mallapert, an unidentified man known as ‘Robert,’ and Firmin Lebel, three musical instructors who are believed to have taught at the basilica at the time. Documentation from 1544 suggests that Palestrina first played as an organist at the cathedral of San Agapito in Palestrina.

On June 12th, 1547, Palestrina married Lucrezia Gori and later had three children: Rodolfo (c. 1549–1572), Angelo (1551–1575), and Iginio (1558–1610). He soon gained the attention of Pope Julius III after publishing his first book of masses, Missarum liber primus (1554), which he dedicated specifically to the pope. Furthermore, in the same year that he published his book, Palestrina published his first madrigal, Con dolce, Altiero ed amoroso cenno, which earned recognition in a Venetian anthology. In 1555, Pope Julius III admitted Palestrina into the Cappella Sistina despite his marital status, which ought to have prohibited his admission under typical circumstances.

A notable piece that Palestrina later composed in what is estimated to have been 1562 was “Agnus Dei (i and ii),” the sixth and final composition of the Missa Papae Marcelli (Pope Marcellus Mass). The mass was dedicated to Pope Marcellus II, who reigned for nearly three weeks before his unexpected death. “Agnus Dei” in particular, meaning ‘lamb of God,’ contains beautiful examples of harmony and rhythm. Something that distinguishes his piece from many others of the Renaissance is his intentional use of block chords and clear, comprehensible language. (291 words)

This image was created by Sailko.

Sources:

“Missa Papae Marcelli.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missa_Papae_Marcelli.

"Missa Papae Marcelli - VI. Agnus Dei." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Missa_Papae_Marcelli_-_VI._Agnus_Dei.....

Lockwood, Lewis, et al. “Palestrina [Prenestino, Etc.], Giovanni Pierluigi Da [‘Giannetto’].” 2nd ed. Oxford Music Online, https://www-oxfordmusiconline-com.pointloma.idm.oclc.org/grovemusic/view.... Accessed 23 Jan. 2022.

Marvin, Clara. ProQuest, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.pointloma.idm.oclc.org/lib/pointloma-e..., Accessed 23 Jan. 2022.

Sailko. "Raffaello Romanelli, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.jpg." Category:Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Wikimedia Commons, 9 Oct. 2021, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raffaello_Romanelli,_Giovanni_Pi.... Accessed 23 Jan. 2022.