Curzio Mancini

Italian composer Curzio Mancini began his career as a boy soprano in the church of S. Giovanni Laterano, Rome. He was there until 1567, and so possibly served under Palestrina, who was the maestro di capella at S. Giovanni until August 1560. Mancini was one of a group of students who composed the Missa cantantibus organis Caecilia on themes by Palestrina, so there is no doubt he was a pupil of the great composer at one time. Although his name isn't prominent now, the records of him in prestigious positions tell that his reputation was extremely good during his lifetime. He probably composed much more sacred music than the little that survives him. In 1576, Mancini is recorded as having organized the Holy Week music for the Oratorio del Gonfalone in Rome and likewise for the feasts of the Oratory of the SS Trinità dei Pellegrini from 1577 - 1579. From there he went on to serve as maestro di capella in a string of appointments. First he's found in that capacity at S. Maria Maggiore, Rome, from 1589 - 1591, then at Santa Casa, Loreto, from 1592 - 1593. He took a brief hiatus from the music director circuit to organize the music for the Corpus Christi feast at the Confraternity of S. Rocco, Rome, and then is found again as maestro di capella of Madona dei Monit and of S. Pietro all'Oratorio del Gonfalone, Rome. From 1601 - 1603, he's maestro di capella at S. Giovanni Laterano, Rome, and then returns to his old job in Loreto that same year. In 1605, a printed collection of madrigals appears in Venice. The pieces are composed in a polyphonic style that was already somewhat out of date. In 1608, a book of sacred motets appeared in Rome. Finally, from 1608 - 1611, he's again maestro at S. Giovanni Laterano, Rome.