Jacopo Peri (* August 20, 1561 in Rome; † August 12, 1633, in Florence; nicknamed Il Zazzerino, the longhaired / shaggy head) was an Italian composer. He is one of the pioneers of opera.
Peri received his first musical instruction from Cristofano Malvezzi. Soon he was known as a good singer and organist, so that he was invited by many aristocrats to parties and performances. In 1587 he was hired by the Medici princely family. In 1591 Peri became Kapellmeister there, "direttore della musia e di Musiche". He was so much appreciated here at court that he soon carried out special commissions.
Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacopo_Peri
Note: Translated from the German version of Wikipedia into the English language
