Background
Girolamo Frescobaldi was born in Ferrara, Italy in Semtember 1583. He was the son of Filippo, who was a man of property, possibly an organist.
Girolamo Frescobaldi was born in Ferrara, Italy in Semtember 1583. He was the son of Filippo, who was a man of property, possibly an organist.
Girolamo Frescobaldi studied with the court organist Luzzasco Luzzaschi, who introduced him to a number of illustrious native and foreign musicians and to many species of music. In 1604 he was organist and singer with the Congregation and Academy of S. Cecilia in Rome; in January and February 1607 he was organist of S. Maria in Trastevere.
Guido Bentivoglio went to Brussels as nunzio and Frescobaldi accompanied him.
This gave him an opportunity to become acquainted with many important musicians of the Low Countries, including some of the English exiles resident there. The year 1608 may be taken as the end of Frescobaldi's formative period; his first work, containing five-part madrigals, was published in Antwerp (such a work often signified the end of an informal apprenticeship).
His music also made its first appearance in an anthology, one that included works by such renowned masters as Luzzaschi, Claudio Merulo, and Giovanni Gabrieli.
Growth of His Reputation
Frescobaldi's reputation grew rapidly; his stipend, however, was small.
He frequently received permission to be absent from his post.
Undoubtedly he spent several periods in Venice, since many of his works were publishedthere.
Girolamo Frescobaldi was married to Orsola Travaglini. The couple had five children.