The composer Felice Anerio - 1560 to 1614



Anerio was born in Rome and spent his entire life there. He sang as a boy soprano at the Julian Chapel until about 1577 by which time he was an alto.

In around 1580 he started to compose. His early compositions were essentially madrigals, and this early peiod was one of the few periods in his life during which he wrote secular music.

At the age of 24, in 1584, Anerio was appointed head of music (maestro di cappella) at the the Collegio deli Inglesi. This was a Catholic seminary in Rome founded in 1576. It's purpose was to educate catholic priests destined to preach in England and Wales at that time

In 1594 he became the official composer to the papal choir, which was the most prominent position in Rome for a composer

Sanderstead Singers sung Christus factus est in a setting by Anerio at Exeter Cathedral in 2010.

The following is a recording of Christus factus est in the setting by Anerio sung at Exeter during the week 16th to 22nd August 2010. The conductor was Fred Irvine and the Organist was Dan Soper. The recording is a Dartworth recording.




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