Portrait of Giovanni Gabrieli known as Sivello

Engraving, circa 1599, signed on the plate lower right.

Good impression in its final state after the plate was completed, irregularly trimmed to the copperplate, minor defects restored, in good condition.

Giovanni Gabrieli (ca. 1557 – October 13, 1612) was an Italian composer and organist, born and died in Venice. One of the most influential musicians of his time, he represents the culmination of the Venetian school, framing the transition from Renaissance music to Baroque music. The exact date of his birth is unknown, although according to a contemporary obituary, at the time of his death he was 56 years old (or 58 years old, the handwriting is not very clear). He would have studied with his uncle, Andrea Gabrieli. Following his example, for several years he worked in Munich, at the court of Duke Albert V of Bavaria, possibly until the duke's death in 1579. There he would have studied with Orlando di Lasso, a friend of Andrea. Around 1584 he would have been substitute organist in San Marcos, in the absence of Claudio Merulo, to compete and win the position permanently in 1585. Also that year he began working as an organist at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. He would hold both positions until his death. After the death of his uncle, he succeeded him as the main composer of San Marcos. His fame, increased by editions of his work in Germany, largely made by Caspar Hassler, attracted a large number of students, mainly from that country, among whom Heinrich Schütz stood out. Since 1606 he suffered from a kidney stone, which forced him to leave part of his responsibilities, and he died in 1612 due to complications from said disease.

Bibliografia

De Grazia D., Le stampe dei Carracci con i disegni, le incisioni, le copie ed i dipinti connessi (catalogo critico), n. 212, p. 193; AAVV, The Illustrated Bartsch, n. 153; Le Blanc C., Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes, n. 241.