Alessandro Grandi

Alessandro Grandi (* around 1577 in Sicily, † 1630 in Bergamo ) was an Italian singer, conductor and composer.

About his family, youth and training is not known. Suspicions that he was a pupil of Giovanni Gabrieli are not documented. For the first time in appearance, it occurs in 1597, when he was appointed to the Accademia della Morte in Ferrara Kapellmeister. After a few more positions, he worked from 1617 in Venice San Marco as a chapel choir and since 1620 as Vice-Kapellmeister. 1627 finally he was appointed to the Conductor of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bergamo. Only a few years later, he was here with his wife, a victim of the plague.

Grandi was one of the most important Italian composers of the early 17th century. His numerous sacred and profane compositions practiced on his followers from major impact. He was the first who used the term cantata. It involves almost secular dramatic works to be named, which are a combination of the concertante Madrigals and the Aria. Among other also instrumental secular works he created significant spiritual compositions, including several books of motets and psalms and fairs.

Against the supposition that he was pupil of Gabrieli, also is the fact that in his works no influence of this composer is noted. In Grandis early works, however, is clearly a reference to Giovanni Croce (around 1557-1609 ) to hear, while his later work is also under the influence of Monteverdi.