Costanzo Festa

Costanzo Festa (* 1490 in Piedmont, † April 10, 1545 in Rome) was an Italian composer.

He may have studied with Jean Mouton in Paris and was papal chapel choir in 1517 and later became head of the choir. As a composer, he was one of the founders of the Roman school of the High Renaissance, but at the same time also a pioneer as Frühmadrigalist. Festa was the first well-known Italian representative of durchimitierenden vocal style, but also one of the very first Madrigalienkomponisten (next to Adrian Willaert ) in the a cappella style.

In his works, the three-part prevails, homophony ( music) and a close connection to the versification and rhyming scheme of the seal determine the musical form. Enggeführte mimicking inserts and pushed between homophonic blocks differ Festas compositions mainly on the style of the English and Dutch composers.

Festas compositions are indeed written in the a cappella style; but it does not diminish the value of his works quite when - as was customary at that time - only the upper part is sung and the lower voices are played on instruments.

As Festa died in Rome in 1545, he left behind a book three -voice madrigals, a 4 -voice Magnificat, 8 -voice motets and madrigals many litanies and in compilations.