ABSTRACT
Contemporary documents show that Guglielmo Gonzaga was the author of one printed set of madrigals, one of motets, and one of magnificats. There can be little doubt that Gonzaga, third Duke of Mantua, was one of the most important and influential patrons of music in the late sixteenth century. The duke was an avid music lover in the best Gonzaga family tradition. Respect for his talent can be discerned through the usual obsequious phrases of letters to him by composers, many of whom sent him pieces for study as well as enjoyment. Gonzaga would sometimes respond to these letters with remarkably civil notes. With the letter he sent his Missa La bataille and a motet. Certainly the most famous of Gonzaga’s musical connections was Palestrina. From documents in the Archivio Gonzaga something can be learned of the history of these publications, their reception, and the problems the duke had with them.
