Simonelli, Matteo

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Simonelli, Matteo

Simonelli, Matteo, Italian singer, organist, and composer; b. Rome, c. 1619; d. there, Sept. 20, 1696. He pursued his career in Rome. In 1633 he became a treble in the Cappella Giulia at St. Peter’s. He studied with Vincenzo Giovannoni, maestro di cappella at S. Lorenzo in Damaso, where he concurrently served as organist. From 1660 to vann on i, maestro di cappella at S. Giovanni dei Fiorentini, and from 1662 to 1687 he was a countertenor at the Cappella Sistina. His distinguished works included a Mass for 17 Voices, a Stabat Mater for 5 Voices, 2 Violins, and Organ, and several motets.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire