Zarlino, Gioseffo (1517–1590)

Italian music theorist and composer. In his theories he discussed modes and intervals, and also looked back to classical models, seeking to summarize and develop the musical theory of the Greeks. He wrote two large treatises, the three-volume Istitutioni armoniche (1558) and Dimostrationi armoniche (1571). He was attacked for these by Vincenzo Galilei, whereupon he Issued another volume, Sopplimenti musicali (1588); a fourth, non-musical volume, was added to the complete edition later.

Born in Chioggia, Zarlino was educated by Franciscan monks and joined the order in 1521. In 1536 he was a singer at Chioggia Cathedral. He studied theology and received minor orders in 1539 (when he became organist at the cathedral), but was learned also in philosophy, sciences, and languages. He settled in Venice in 1541, became a fellow student with Cipriano de Rore under Adrian Willaert, and in 1565 became first maestro di cappella at St Mark's. In 1583 he was offered the bishopric of Chioggia, but declined it, preferring to remain at St Mark's.

Zarlino wrote motets and madrigals, but was chiefly a theorist. Le istitutioni harmoniche caused Willaert's methods of contrapuntal writing to become models of the style.

Works Sacred and secular music Mass for the foundation of the Church of Santa Maria della Salute and other church music; pageant for the victory of Lepanto.