Matteo da Perugia

Full biography Matteo da Perugia

Matteo da Perugia was a famous Italian composer who lived during the 14th century. He was known for his influential contribution to the development of the Ars Nova style which was popular during this time. Matteo da Perugia was a skilled composer and musician, whose fame grew over time due to his mastery of polyphonic writing, a hallmark of the Ars Nova style.

Not much information is available about his personal life or training, but he is believed to have studied and practiced music in Perugia, Italy, before relocating to Avignon in France, where he served as a chapel musician for the papal court. During his time in France, he became a member of the French royal court and served as a composer for the Duke of Berry.

Matteo da Perugia's style was celebrated for its complexity and bold experimentation, incorporating unusual rhythms and intricate harmonies. Some of his most famous works include his motet 'Dulces exuviae' and his ballade 'Se j'aim mon loyal ami,' which are still popular in modern classical music performances today.

Despite his contributions, Matteo da Perugia's works were relatively short-lived, and his music was overshadowed in the following centuries by other famous composers such as Guillaume de Machaut and Johannes Ockeghem. However, his influence on the Ars Nova style and his legacy as a pioneering composer helped lay the groundwork for the development of later musical styles such as the Renaissance.