Gennaro Ursino

Gennaro Ursino was an Italian composer born in Roio del Sangro, near Chieti, around 1650, who was active mainly in Naples, where he died at a date after 1715. His career belongs to the Neapolitan musical scene of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, an environment dominated by the conservatories and religious institutions.

At the age of twelve he entered the Conservatorio della Pietà dei Turchini in Naples, where he was taught by Giovanni Salvatore. From 1675 he was the chief assistant to Francesco Provenzale, the director of that institution, whom he succeeded after Provenzale retired in April 1701, remaining in the post until 1705. At the same time, he worked with Salvatore at the Conservatorio dei Poveri di Gesù Cristo from 1686, succeeding him as director in 1688, a position he held until 1695. He was also maestro di cappella of the Santissima Annunziata from 1701 to 1715, and he was associated with Santa Maria in Portico and with the Jesuit college.

References survive to three works for the stage composed for Neapolitan religious institutions, all now lost: the comedy Pandora, from 1690, and two further pieces, Il trionfo della croce nella vittoria di Costantino and Iratus in coelos impetus. Only a few motets survive, mostly for small ensembles, some with concertante violin parts, and three written for four choirs.