1550 (?). =Cavalieri.= Composer of the first oratorio, also of four music dramas. One of the earliest composers to seek to illustrate the meaning of the words by the music. 15— (?). =Giovanni Bardi.= The instigator of the idea of modern opera: at Bardi’s house the circle of dilletanti and musicians assembled and endeavoured to resuscitate Greek drama by the provision of suitable music. 15— (?). =Jacopo Peri.= Composer of first real opera in the modern sense of the term; _Dafne_ (1597) and _Euridice_ (1600) are the titles of his works, in the monodic style. These opened up new ground, and set a model which other composers quickly followed. 1558. =Guilio Caccini= (Rome). Opera composer of the monodic school; shares with Peri the merit of founding modern opera. 1567. =Claudio Monteverde= (Cremona), 1567-1643. Writer of many operas, intermezzi, etc.; he was a great innovator in harmony, and also did much to extend the use of the various instruments of the orchestra. The earliest composer to associate certain groups of instruments with certain of the stage characters. 1575. =Thomas Campion= (London). English composer of masques and ballets. 1580. =John Coperario= (London). An Englishman who travelled in Italy, and wrote music for English plays. 1582. =William Lawes= (Dinton). English composer of court masques and airs. 1585. =Heinrich Schütz= (Köstritz), 1585-1672. First German operatic composer, who also excelled in church music. 1588 or 1590. =Nicholas Laniere= (Italy). A foreign musician who settled in England and wrote music for masques; one of his compositions was a masque by Ben Johnson, “in stylo recitativo.” 1596. =Henry Lawes= (Dinton). English composer who shared with Matthew Lock and Cook the composition of one of the earliest English operas, _The Siege of Rhodes_. 1597. =Benedetto Ferrari= (Venice). Helped to found the Venetian School of Opera. 1600. =Pietro F. Cavalli= (Crema). A follower of Monteverde, who wrote at least twenty-seven operas, mostly for Venice, but some were performed in Paris; a composer of dramatic power. 1600. Production of Peri’s _Orfeo_, the first publicly performed opera. 1600 (?). =Francesco Manelli= (Venice). Shares with Ferrari the credit of the foundation of opera in his native city. 1604. =Giacomo Carissimi= (Marino). Great composer of oratorio, who also wrote occasionally for the stage. 1620. =Marcantonio Cesti= (Florence?). Follower of Cavalli and Carissimi; wrote about twelve operas.