Jacopo Peri

Jacopo Peri , 1561-1633, Italian composer and singer. Dafne (c.1597), perhaps the first opera, was composed by both Peri and Jacopo Corsi. The librettist, Ottavio Rinuccini, also wrote Euridice, which Peri and Caccini set to music (1600). The music for this opera was performed at the wedding of Henry IV of France to Marie de' Medici.

Peri, Jacopo (1561–1633) Italian composer. His musical drama Dafne (1597) is generally regarded as the first opera. His next opera, Euridice (1600), is the earliest complete opera.

Peri, Jacopo (b Rome or Florence, 1561; d Florence, 1633). It. composer, pupil of Malvezzi, and singer. Entered service of Medici court 1588 and Mantuan court from early 1600s. Probably one of group of poets and musicians assoc. in Florence with Jacopo Corsi and Count Bardi in last quarter of 16th cent. (see Camerata), and whose interest in reviving elements of Gr. drama led to comp. in monodic style of what is regarded as the first opera or mus.-drama, Dafne (1594–8), to which Peri contrib. the recitatives and some other items in collab. with Corsi. This was followed by Euridice (1600), parts of which were comp. by Peri's rival Caccini. Peri later wrote other operas, some in collab., ballets, madrigals, etc., only a few of which survive. Org. at Badia, Florence, 1579–1605.