Paolo Isnardi

Paolo Isnardi (c. 1536 - 5 May 1596) was a late-Renaissance choirmaster and composer.

Biography Isnardi was musically educated by Francesco Manara at the Ferrara Cathedral. Although he spent most of his life residing in Ferrara, he spent some time at both Venice and Mantua between the years 1560 and 1570. It was in 1560 that his first published work, Primo libro di madrigali, was printed. On the recommendation of Luigi d'Este, another patron, he was appointed successor to the recently deceased Francesco dalla Viola as maestro di capella at the Ferrara Cathedral, although he likely did not take up this post until 1573.

Style Isnardi wrote several lamentations, madrigals, masses, and psalms. These were published between 1561 and 1598. His main musical technique is that of parody, although this technique is notably absent from his Mass for two choirs. He has been credited with being among the first to use Tridentine form for the Dies Irae portion of his requiems.