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Summary

ZACCONI, Ludovico, one of the most learned musical theorists of the early Italian School, was born, about the middle of the 16th century, at Pesaro, but spent the greater part of his life at Venice, where he was admitted to the priesthood, received the tonsure as a monk of the Order of S. Augustine, and officiated, for many years, as Maestro di Cappella in the great church belonging to the Order. In 1593 he was invited to Vienna by the Archduke Charles, who made him his Kapellmeister, and in 1595 he received a similar appointment at the Court of the Pfalzgraf Wilhelm, Duke of Bavaria, at whose invitation he removed to Munich. In 1619 he returned to Venice, and devoted himself to the completion of his great theoretical work, the first portion of which was published before his departure to Vienna. The year of his death is unknown.

The work on which Zacconi's fame is based, is entitled ‘Prattioa di Musica utile et necessaria si al compositore si anco al cantore,’ and is dedicated to Guglielmo Conte Palatino del Reno, Duca dell' alta e bassa Baniera, etc. The First Part was published at Venice in 1592, and reprinted in 1596. The Second Part, also printed at Venice, first appeared in 1619.