Donemus Webshop — Crotti, Fra Arcangelo

Fra Arcangelo Crotti was an Augustine friar who lived a secluded and contemplative life in Ferrara. He was born around 1550 and died in 1606.
His Church Concerts (Concerti Ecclesiastici) was first published two years after his death, in 1608. It was dedicated to Duke Alessandro d’ Este of Ferrara, member of a family that endorsed many musicians. Ferrara was an important place in those times. Many composers worked for this court, including Josquin Desprez, Luzzasco Luzzaschi, Allessandro Striggio, Vittoria Aleotti, Luca Marenzio, Giaches de Wert, and later on Girolamo Frescobaldi. Truly a musical nursery.
Very little is known of the life of Arcangelo Crotti, as can be expected of a secluded contemplative monk. Nevertheless, he acquired enough knowledge in his seclusion of the early baroque musical laws to compose a series of interesting Concerts for the Church.
Cees Wagemakers, 2016