Orazio Vecchi (vek’-ke) was born in Modena (Italia). He obtained his musical instruction from the monk, Salvatore Essenga, well known for his compositions; a collection of madrigals published in 1566 should contain one by Orazio Vecchi .
Orazio Vecchi took holy orders, being made canon in 1586 and archdeacon in 1591 at Correggio. His most famous composition is the Commedia harmonica, also known as the Amphiparnasso sung comedy, which debuted in Modena in 1594 and is widely regarded as the opera forerunner. He deserted his office, however, to live in his native town, and in 1595 he was deprived of his canonry. He had become celebrated as a musician, and the same year he was appointed one of the members of a committee to revise and correct the Roman Gradual, published by Gardano four years earlier.
The next year he was made chapelmaster of the Modena Cathedral, and two years later at court. His work was now in much demand, having been requested for a composition by the King of Poland and invited to the Court of Emperor Rudolph II. Orazio Vecchi was one of the best canzonet and madrigal composers of his time, and his sacred music is excellent.
His Amfiparnasso, Commedia Harmonica, was produced in Modena in 1594 and published in Venice in 1597, a work that was probably the first step toward opera. It is a series of five-part madrigals sung by a choir, with the actors appearing masked and performing in a dumb show. The effect is dramatic, and the humor it contains is good. Furthermore, his compositions can be found in historical anthologies. However, this is not Vecchi’s sole accomplishment; he also made a name for himself as a religious composer and is regarded as one of the greatest canzone and madrigal writers of his day. Orazio Vecchi died on February 19, 1605, at the age of 54.
Orazio Vecchi (vek’-ke) was born in Modena (Italia). He obtained his musical instruction from the monk, Salvatore Essenga, well known for his compositions.
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