Some Chapel Masters’ Music Books from St. Anthony’s, Padua (c.1600-1623)

Abstract

The Basilica di Sant’Antonio’s chapel was a major music institution in the Po Valley area by ​​the early 17^th century. Its history, organization (rules, staff), and main personalities have been widely discussed; its repertoire is still under-researched though. The documents published here deal with the music books kept or ordered by chapel masters Costanzo Porta (1600), Giulio Belli (1606), Giovanni Antonio Filippini da Cento (1614), and Giovanni Ghizzolo (1623). Based on information from these lists, most collections could be identified; at least three of them are lost (G. Fattorini, G. Lambardi, E. Radesca). One can appreciate the various chapel masters’ choices, also in connection to the chapel’s known variations in personnel. There are valuable historical data on the music-book market as well, e.g. sellers («dal Gardano», «dalla Pigna», «dall’Amadino», «dal Raveri»), prices, and bookbinding types.