Francesco Usper (real name Spongia)

(end 16th Century - 1641)

Italian composer and priest. A pupil of Andrea Gabrieli ; worked as organist at S. Salvador in Venice from 1614, and in 1622-3 was deputy organist at St Mark's. In 1627 he became director of the Scuola di S. Giovanni Evangelista. He published madrigals, church music, and instrumental music in up to eight parts, including a fine sinfonia for two violins, four viole, recorder and chitarrone which has brilliant concertino passages.

A Partial Francesco Usper Discography |  IVN: The Venetian Style  |  Home