Italian singer, organist and composer (1602- 1676) who had a long career as church musician. He helped launch opera in Italy, a very popular genre by the end of his life. Out of his 41 operas, 27 have survived. L'Egisto, Xerse and Ercole amante were performed in Paris. He was received by Cardinal Mazarin, after whose death he had to return to Venice, targeted by the cabal organised against Italian politicians and artists residing at the French court.
