GIOVANNELLI (GIOVANELLI), RUGGERO. — Musician, born at Velletri around 1560, died at Rome on 8 January 1625. A pupil of Nannini, he very soon distinguished himself through his powerful and precocious musical talent. In Rome he was maestro di cappella at S. Luigi dei Francesi from 6 August 1583 to 1 April 1591; he then went to the Collegio germanico-ungarico. Such was the fame he had acquired that on 12 March 1594 he was called to succeed Palestrina as director of the Cappella Giulia in S. Pietro. On 7 April 1599 he was admitted to the College of the singing chaplains of the Cappella Pontificia. He was among the members of the retinue of Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini.
G. was one of the most distinguished composers of his time, and his music is marked by the perfect fusion of the voices, freshness of inspiration, and clarity of harmony.
The following were printed: Madrigali a 5 voci (Venice 1585); Tre libri di madrigali a 5 voci (there 1856, 87, 89); Primo libro delle villanelle (there 1588); Gli sdruccioli a 4 voci (there 1589); Sacrorum modulationum liber primus (Rome 1589); Due libri di madrigali sdruccioli a 4 voci (Venice 1587, 92); Raccolta di canzonette a 3 voci (Rome 1592); Primo libro di mattetti a 5 voci (there 1593); Secondo libro di mattetti a 5 voci (there 1594); Le villanelle eterie alla napoletana a 3 voci (Rome 1593); Secondo libro dei madrigali a 5 voci (Venice 1599); Terzo libro dei madrigali a 5 voci (there 1599). Some compositions for 8 voices are found in collections by Costantini (Rome 1614). Masses, Psalms, and Hymns are in manuscript at S. Pietro. Paul V commissioned him to prepare a new edition of the Graduale for use by the Cappella Pontificia, which was published in 1614, after fully seven years of work.