GIOVANNELLI (GIOVANELLI), RUGGERO. - Musician, b. in Velletri around 1560, d. in Rome on 8 January 1625. A pupil of Nannini, he soon excelled due to his strong 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 moved to the German-Hungarian College. His fame was such that on 12 March 1594 he was called to succeed Palestrina in directing the Cappella Giulia at St Peter’s. On 7 April 1599 he was admitted to the College of Chaplain-Singers of the Papal Chapel. He was among the members of Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini’s entourage.
G. was one of the most distinguished composers of his time, and his music is distinguished by the perfect blending of the voices, the freshness of inspiration, and the clarity of harmony.
The following works were printed: Madrigali a 5 voci (Venice 1585); Tre libri di madrigali a 5 voci (ibid. 1586, 87, 89); Primo libro delle villanelle (ibid. 1588); Gli sdruccioli a 4 voci (ibid. 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 motetti a 5 voci (ibid. 1593); Secondo libro di motetti a 5 voci (ibid. 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 (ibid. 1599). Some compositions for 8 voices are in collections by Costantini (Rome 1614). Masses, Psalms and Lamentations are in manuscript at St Peter’s. Paul V commissioned him to prepare a new edition of the Graduale for use in the Papal Chapel, which was published in 1614 after seven years of work.