Andrea Gabrieli

The Basilica of San Marco in Venice boasted one of the most prestigious musical establishments of the 16th century. Adrian Willaert founded a veritable "Venetian School" of composition as the church's maestro di cappella. The school later flowered in the works of Giovanni Gabrieli and Claudio Monteverdi, and maintained its prominence well into the 18th century. In addition to the choirmaster/composer, San Marco employed two organists who also established their own internationally recognized school of playing and improvisation. Andrea Gabrieli, though often overshadowed by his ...