Donato, Baldassare 01/01/1525 - 01/06/1603

Baldassare Donato (1525-1603) was an Italian singer, maestro di cappella, and composer.



Donato was born in Venice. After 1550 he was active as a singer (at first at St. Mark's in Venice) and also trained new singers. In 1580 he took over the position of maestro di capella at the cathedral in Padua and returned to St. Mark's in 1590, where he held the position of primo maestro di cappella until his death.



He attained great popularity during his lifetime through his villanellas and art songs in popular style which he composed in addition to his numerous other works (mostly polyphonic vocal music).