CROCE, GIOVANNI. — Also called Ioannes a Cruce or “il Chiozzotto,” from Chioggia, where he was born in 1557 and died on 15 May 1609. He was an eminent composer, trained at the school of Zarlino, who appointed him to the choir of S. Marco in Venice as a contralto. He became a titular priest of the church of S. Maria Formosa in Venice; in 1593 he was appointed master at the seminary; in 1595 deputy chapel master; and finally, on 13 July 1603, chapel master at S. Marco, succeeding Donati and a worthy continuer of that luminous artistic tradition which had raised A. Willaert, C. de Rore, and G. Zarlino to the same glorious post.
Of his works, admired for their inspired genius and contrapuntal skill, numerous contemporary prints and reprints have been preserved, as well as recent new editions published by F. X. Haberl (Jahrbuch Peters, Regensburg 1888), by Commer in Musica sacra, by Proske in Musica divina, etc. C.’s sacred music includes a large number of Masses for 5, 6, and 8 voices, psalms for 6 and 8 voices, evening psalmody and a Compline for 8 voices, Lamentations and motets for 4 and 8 voices, sacred cantilenas and cantiones, which are found in the libraries of Italy and Europe, together with numerous manuscripts of Masses for up to 16 voices, motets for 4 voices, and other spiritual songs. His secular music is equally abundant.