Palestrina

Palestrina, Giovanni Perluigi da (c. 1524-94), was born at Palestrina, and studied music under Goudimel. In 1551 he was appointed choirmaster of the Capella Giulia in the Vatican, and subsequently held similar posts at the Lateran and Santa Maria Maggiore. The Council of Trent in 1562 condemned the prevailing style of Church music, and Palestrina was invited to assist in reforming it. He had already published his First Book of Masses, which marked him as the greatest composer of his day, and in 1565 he produced the famous Missa Papae Marcelli. In 1586 he returned to the Capella Giulia, and afterwards took charge of the choir at the oratory of Philip Neri.