(Information is based on the German music encyclopedia MGG- ''Music in History and the Present''[former edition])
Born in the late 16th century/died after 1632
Birthplace: Casalmaggiore near Cremona, Italy.
Unfortunately exact biographical data and information concerning his musical training is unknown.
Donati was a chapel master and presumably a priest initially in Urbino in 1612 and then in 1616 at the Brotherhood and Academy ''Holy Ghost'' in Ferrara. Afterwards he was at the cathedral in Lodi and then in 1618 spent 5 years at the cathedral in his hometown. In 1623, he directed the music ensemble of the cathedral in Novara and later the Cathedral of Pesaro. Beginning in 1629, he was the chapel master at the Milan Cathedral. (As a member of the ''Accademia dei Filomeni'', he was known under the name of ''Auriga'').
His extensive compositional works consisted mostly of religious music:
concerts, solo motets, and choir works which were composed in the course of his work with religious music. Among these works are always interesting instructions for vocal techniques. Stylistically, he was dedicated to the Venetian School (Monteverdi) but never had the opportunity to compose opera.
