Vittoria Aleotti facts for kids

Vittoria Aleotti (born around 1575 – died after 1620) was an Italian nun, a talented composer, and an organist. Many people believe she was the same person as Raffaella Aleotta (born around 1570 – died after 1646). She was a very important musician in her time.

Becoming a Musician

Vittoria Aleotti was born in Ferrara, Italy. Her father, Giovanni Battista Aleotti, was a well-known architect. He even mentioned her in his will!

Vittoria first became interested in music by listening to her older sister's lessons. She learned very quickly. In just one year, she became very good at playing instruments, especially the harpsichord. She also had a beautiful singing voice.

Because of her amazing talent, Vittoria was sent to study with famous music teachers. These included Alessandro Milleville and Ercole Pasquini. When she was only six or seven years old, her teachers suggested she go to the San Vito convent in Ferrara. This convent was famous for helping young musicians grow their talents. By the time she was 14, Vittoria decided to join the convent and dedicate her life to music and service.

Published Music

Vittoria Aleotti published her first piece of music in 1591. It was a single madrigal (a type of song) called Di pallide viole. This song was part of a collection of music called Il giardino de musici ferraresi.

Just two years later, she wrote music for eight poems by Giovanni Battista Guarini. Her father sent these songs to a count, who had them printed in Venice. This book of madrigals was titled Ghirlanda de madrigali a quatro voci. Vittoria was the first of many composers to set the words "T'amo mia vita" (I love you, my life) to music.

In the same year, Raffaella Aleotta also published a book of motets (sacred songs). This book, called Sacrae cantiones quinque, septem, octo, & decem vocibus decantande, was printed in 1593. It was the very first book of sacred music by a woman to be published! It contained eighteen motets, written for different numbers of voices.

Musical Style and Skills

Raffaella Aleotta was very famous for her skills as an organist. She was also excellent at playing other instruments, like the harpsichord, trombone, and other wind instruments.

A writer named Ercole Bottrigari praised her greatly. He said she had the talent to lead a group of twenty-three nuns in music. She was also the Maestra (music director) at the convent until she passed away.

Raffaella loved complex music. She often used interesting harmonies and sounds that created tension (dissonance) to make the words of her music more powerful. Some people, however, thought that her music became too complex. They felt that when she used many voices, the music became more about pleasure than holiness.

Known Works

Here are some of the musical works by Vittoria or Raffaella Aleotti that we know about:

• Motet: Angelus ad pastores ait (based on text from Luke 2:10-11)
• Motet: Ego flos campi (for 7 voices), by R. Aleotti
• Il giardino de musici ferraresi (1591) - A collection that included her madrigal.
• Sacrae cantiones quinque, septem, octo, & decem vocibus decantande (1593) - A book of motets for five, seven, eight, and ten voices.
• Ghirlanda de madrigali a quatro voci (1593) - A book of madrigals for four voices.
• You can find recordings of her songs on many music CDs, including one called O Dulcis Amor.

See also

In Spanish: Vittoria Aleotti para niños