Orazio Benevoli

Italian composer Orazio Benevoli was a major exponent of the so-called Colossal Baroque style. He spent most of his career in Rome. Just 19, Benevoli was hired as music director at the Church of Santa Maria in Rome's Trastevere neighborhood, serving there from 1624 to 1630. From 1630 to 1638, he was music director of the Santo Spirito Church in the Sassia (Saxon) district. In 1638, he assumed the same position at his alma mater, San Luigi dei Francesi, remaining in that post until 1644. In 1646, he moved back to Rome, where he spent the rest of his life. Benevoli wrote at least 16 masses, motets, Magnificat settings, and other sacred vocal works, often on a grand scale involving four or more choirs. Benevoli's Missa Tu es Petrus for four choirs was recorded in 2023. Benevoli died in Rome on June 17, 1672.