Paolo Quagliati

Born: 1555
Died: 1628
Education: a member of the Roman School of composers
Career: Cardinal Odoardo Farnese, organist at Santa Maria Maggiore from around 1608 until his death

Italian composer and organist. He worked as an organist in Rome from 1574 (from 1601 at S. Maria Maggiore), and in 1621 was made an Apostolic Notary by Pope Gregory XV whose family he served. in 1611 he composed a dramatic cantata which includes both monodies and 5-part ensembles, and his monodies of 1623, some of which have obbligato violin parts, mark an important stage in the development of the chamber cantata. He also published motets for up to eight voices; canzonets, concertato madrigals, and instrumental ricercars and canzonas.