Ghirardello da Firenze

Ghirardello de Firenze (Giovanni da Cascia) was an Italian composer of the medieval era, active in the middle of the fourteenth century. Virtually nothing is known about Giovanni's life. From his surname it is presumed that he was born in the village of Cascia, near Florence. It was once thought that he held a post at Florence Cathedral, but this is no longer accepted. A Florentine chronicle states that Giovanni and Jacopo da Bologna competed at Mastino II of Scala's court; Mastino died in 1351.