Pietr’Antonio Spalenza

Pietro Antonio Spalenza was an Italian composer of the second half of the sixteenth century, born in Brescia around 1545 and dying in Treviso before 27 May 1577. His career unfolded in northern Italy, within the sphere of cathedral sacred music, which helps to illuminate how musical practice worked at the time.

From 24 April 1573 until his death, he served as maestro di cappella at Treviso Cathedral. An episode from 1576 is especially revealing: on 6 May he directed a polyphonic Mass with instrumental accompaniment of trumpets, trombones and cornetts in the church of the Augustinian nuns of Treviso. He was reprimanded, since only the organ was permitted as an instrument in enclosed convents. A document dated 26 November of that same year records a payment in his favour for a polyphonic Requiem Mass. His heirs petitioned the chapter for financial assistance in May 1577.

His best-known printed work is the Primo libro di madrigali a quattro voci, published in Venice in either 1574 or 1579, although the exact date is not known with certainty. It contains 25 compositions, including two by Adam Barbet and two by Giovanni Francesco Maffon. In addition, manuscripts survive containing sacred works for four to twelve voices and four-voice falsobordoni. There is no evidence of any kinship with Hortensio Spalenza, the author of three canzoni spirituali for three voices.