Severo Bonini

Full biography Severo Bonini

Severo Bonini was an Italian composer, organist, and writer on music who was born on December 23, 1582, in Florence and died on December 5, 1663. He was a member of the Benedictine and Vallombrosan orders and did various tours of duty in abbeys in and around Florence. Bonini is known for his sacred music compositions, particularly his missae breves, but he also composed secular music such as canzonettas and balletti. He is also known for his writings on music, including "L'antica musica ridotta alla moderna prattica" and "Discorsi e regole," which provide insight into music theory and performance practices of the time.

Bonini's music is characterized by the use of simple melodies and harmonies, and his compositions are often homophonic, with all the voices moving together rhythmically. His sacred music was primarily composed for use in the liturgy, and his compositions often feature antiphonal singing and imitative polyphony. He was highly regarded by his contemporaries, and his music was widely performed throughout Italy during his lifetime.

Despite his significant contributions to the field of music, Bonini is not as well-known as some of his contemporaries such as Monteverdi or Gesualdo. However, his music and writings continue to be studied and performed today, providing insight into the musical practices of the 17th century.