Alfonso Fontanelli

Full biography Alfonso Fontanelli

Alfonso Fontanelli (15 February 1557 – 11 February 1622) was an Italian composer , writer, diplomat, and courtier of the late Renaissance. He was born in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy, and received his early education at the University of Bologna. Fontanelli began his career as a composer in the service of the Gonzaga family in Mantua, where he worked alongside some of the leading composers of the day, including Claudio Monteverdi.

He composed music in a variety of genres, including madrigals, motets, and instrumental works. His music is characterized by its expressive harmonies and imaginative use of chromaticism. Fontanelli was also a skilled writer and diplomat, and he served in various diplomatic posts throughout his career, including as ambassador to the court of King Philip II of Spain.

Although he was highly regarded in his time, Fontanelli's music fell into obscurity after his death. It was not until the 20th century that his music began to be rediscovered and performed again. A number of recordings of his music have been made in recent years, and he is now recognized as one of the leading composers of the Ferrara school, a group of composers who worked in the court of the Este family in Ferrara during the late Renaissance.