Emilio de' Cavalieri

Emilio de' Cavalieri (c. 1550 – 11 March 1602) was an Italian composer, organist, diplomat, choreographer and dancer of the late Renaissance. Active in both Rome and Florence, he was one of the key figures in the transition from Renaissance polyphony to the expressive musical language of the early Baroque. His work played an important role in the development of monody, early opera and the oratorio. Life and career Cavalieri was born in Rome into an aristocratic family with strong cultural connections.