An Italian composer and theorist who was an important figure in the transition from the polyphonic style to concertato. This transition is illustrated by his masses of 1615 where some of the masses remain unaccompanied while others are scored for voice and instrument. He had previously already used the concertato in arrangements for motets and psalms two years earlier. He wrote both for sacred and secular venues; instrumental music like his "Little/Short Madrigals" was intended to be performed in variations. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi