Aleotti, Raffaella

views updated

Aleotti, Raffaella

Aleotti, Raffaella, Italian composer; b. Ferrara, e. 1570; d. after 1646. Her father was architect to Alfonso II d’Esté, Duke of Ferrara. She received lessons in harpsichord and composition from Alessandro Milleville and Ercole Pasquini, and then entered the Augustinian convent of S. Vito in Ferrara, where she took her vows about 1590 and became director of its “concerto grande” about 1593. She publ. Sacrae cantiones for 5, 7 to 8, and 10 Voices (Venice, 1593). Her sister, Vittoria Aleotti (b. Ferrara, e. 1573; d. after 1620), was also a composer. After studies with Milleville and Pasquini, she took her vows at S. Vito, where she was closely associated with her sister. She publ. Ghirlanda de madrigali for 4 Voices (Venice, 1591).

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire