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Camillo Cortellini

1561 – 1630

Italian composer

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About Camillo Cortellini

Lived 1561 – 1630 (aged 68–69). Camillo Cortellini was an Italian composer, singer, violinist, cornetist and musician.

Camillo Cortellini (24 January 156112/13 February 1630) was an Italian composer, singer, and violinist.

Biography Cortellini was born in Bologna, and was the son of the composer Gaspare "the viola" Cortellini. In following his father's profession Camillo was nicknamed "violino." His first musical education was received from his father who was employed at the Concerto Palatino. He then was taught by Alfonso Ganass].

On 26 February 1577, Cortellini succeeded his father in the Concerto della Signoria. In the same month, Cortellini was also admitted as the second soprano Cornett player for the group Concerto Palatino where he would later come back and direct in 1613. In 1593 he was elected cantor at the prestigious chapel of San Petronio Basilica, where he worked until his death in 1630. From 1582 to 1599 Cortellini was in and out of works with the Capella Musicale of San Petrinio ("San Petronio Basilica") and served there as a singer and trombonist from 1600 to 1629 with a break between 1607 and 1610. In 1626 Cortellini became a member of Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna ("philharmonic academy of Bologna").

In 1583 he released his first publication where he labeled himself as "Musico Dell'Illustrissima Signoria di Bologna" ("the most illustrious lordship of Bologna"). His first publications were secular music, which included three books of madrigals between 1583 and 1586.

Cortellini's printed works also include two books of psalm settings, a set of eight Magnificat settings, and 3 books of masses. Cortellini was the first composer in Bologna to publish concerted Masses with his Second Book of Masses in 1617.

Works Primo Libro de’ Madrigali a 5 e 6 voci. Ferrara, Baldini, 1583 (preserved incomplete) Secondo Libro de’ Madrigali a 5 voci. Bologna, Rossi, 1584 (preserved incomplete) Terzo Libro de’ Madrigali a 5 voci. Ferrara, Baldini, 1586 Salmi a 6 voi. Venice, Vincenti, 1595 Salmi a 8 voci e organo per i Vespri di tutto l’anno. Venice, Vincenti, 1606 8 Magnificat a 6 voci. Venice, Vincenti, 1607 Messe a 4, 5, 6 e 8 voci e organo sui toni ecclesiastici. Venice, Vincenti, 1609 Laetanie della Beata Vergine a 5, 6, 7 e 8 voci. Venezia, Vincenti, 1615 Messe concertate a 8 voci. Venice, Vincenti, 1617 Messe concertate a 8 voci. Venice, Vincenti, 1626 Azioni rappresentate in musica per la Festa della Porchetta di Bologna. 1627 (only libretto survives)

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Important facts

Birth century
Died
1630, Bologna
Nationality
Employers
Concerto Palatino, San Petronio Basilica

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Camillo Cortellini's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Camillo Cortellini?

Italian composer

When was Camillo Cortellini born?

Camillo Cortellini was born on 24 January 1561 in Bologna.

When did Camillo Cortellini die?

Camillo Cortellini died in 1630 in Bologna.

What was Camillo Cortellini's occupation?

Camillo Cortellini was a composer, singer, violinist, cornetist and musician.

What nationality was Camillo Cortellini?

Camillo Cortellini was Italian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Camillo Cortellini

· Wikidata: Q3651486

· DBpedia: Camillo Cortellini

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Camillo Cortellini. https://biography.guide/camillo-cortellini/

MLA: "Camillo Cortellini." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/camillo-cortellini/.

Chicago: "Camillo Cortellini." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/camillo-cortellini/.

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