ABSTRACT

The contemporary humanist Benedetto Varchi, in his poetic dialogue L'Hercolano, also refers to delle Palle as Paolo Giordano's musician in Rome. From the surviving documentation, it is clear that Paolo Giordano I engaged freelance musicians for private and public performances, including celebratory events marking visits from prominent political figures. Documentary sources refer to musicians singing in the Neapolitan style with instrumental accompaniment at the Orsini court as early as 1559. One aspect that had a direct effect on the Roman-Florentine development of monody, for instance, was the presence and circulation of Neapolitan musicians patronized by Paolo Giordano I Orsini and his wife Isabella de' Medici. Modern scholars have examined Isabella de' Medici's life and artistic interests, but scant attention has been paid to her husband's role as a patron of music. Paolo Giordano engaged a certain Giovanni Andrea musico in December of 1572.