A pioneer of opera, creating the first known opera "Dafne" in 1597, and revolutionizing music with his innovative compositions.
Jacopo Peri is renowned for writing the first opera, Dafne (c. 1597), and the earliest extant opera, Euridice (1600). This Italian composer, singer, and instrumentalist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods revolutionized the music world with his innovative works.
Jacopo Peri was born on August 20, 1561, in either Rome or Florence, Italy, to a middle-class family. Although he claimed to be from Rome, some historians believe he might have been from Florence, which would have been a disadvantage in his career due to the pro-Roman sentiments of the time.
Peri received his education from the Servite monastery of SS. Annunziati in Florence, where he was employed as a singer. This monastery served as a pipeline for many musical students into musical careers, and it was here that Peri developed his talent. He later studied with Cristofano Malvezzi in Florence and worked in various churches as an organist and singer.
In the 1590s, Peri became associated with Jacopo Corsi, a leading patron of music in Florence. Together, they sought to recreate Greek tragedy as they understood it, believing that contemporary art was inferior to classical Greek and Roman works. This collaboration led to the creation of Dafne, considered the first opera, and Euridice, the earliest extant opera.
Peri's work built upon the experiments of the Florentine Camerata, which had developed the solo song style over continuo bass, known as monody. This style eventually evolved into recitative and aria, shaping the course of opera.
Peri's most famous work is Euridice, an opera composed in collaboration with Ottavio Rinuccini, a poet. This work premiered on October 6, 1600, at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.
In addition to his operas, Peri composed incidental music for plays, intermedi, and madrigals. His music showcased his innovative use of harmony and his ability to evoke emotions through melody.
Peri was known by the nickname "lo Zazzerino" (the blond one). He worked in the Medici court, where he was employed as a tenor singer, keyboard player, and composer. His talent and education opened doors to various opportunities, and he became a prominent figure in the Florentine musical scene.
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