Squarcialupi, Antonio

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Squarcialupi, Antonio

Squarcialupi, Antonio, renowned Italian organist, known as Antonio degli Organi, Antonio de Bartolomeo, and Antonio del Bessa; b. Florence, March 27, 1416; d. there, July 6, 1480. He was the son of a butcher, Bartolomeo di Giovanni, and adopted the name of the prominent Squarcialupi family of Tuscany about 1457. He pursued his career in Florence, serving as organist of Orsanmichele (1431–33) and at the cathedral of S. Maria del Fiore (1432–80). His name is immortalized through the 15th century MS of Florentine polyphonic music known as the “Squarcialupi Codex,” which was once in his possession; it was ed. by J. Wolf (1955).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire