Adriaen Willaert

Adriaen Willaert (c.1490–1562) was a Flemish composer whose career in Italy shaped the course of Renaissance music. After early studies in Paris with Jean Mouton, he served the Este court in Ferrara before being appointed maestro di cappella at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice in 1527, a post he held until his death. There he developed the antiphonal practices that gave rise to the Venetian polychoral style, influencing composers such as De Rore, Andrea Gabrieli, and Zarlino. His output spans sacred and secular genres, including masses, motets, madrigals, and chansons, and he was among the first to employ chromaticism in madrigal writing. Willaert’s teaching and compositions made him a central figure between Josquin and Palestrina.