Viola, Alfonso dalla (c. 1508-c. 1573)

Italian composer and instrumentalist. He was maestro di cappella at Ferrara Cathedral, and in charge of the musica da camera segreta at the court of Ercole d'Este (II), Duke of Ferrara, where he wrote music (now lost) for plays. He remained in the service of the next duke, Alfonso II. Like his brother Francesco dalla Viola (d 1568), who also served at the cathedral and the court, he wrote madrigals.