Aleotti, Vittoria (c. 1573–c. 1620)
Aleotti, Vittoria (c. 1573–c. 1620)
Italian composer. Probably born in 1573; probably died in 1620; daughter of Giovanni Battista (architect to Alphonso II d'Este, duke of Ferrara); younger sister of Raffaella Aleotti ; studied harpsichord and composition with Alessandro Milleville and Ercole Pasquini; entered the Augustinian convent of San Vito, Ferrara, where she assisted her sister with the convent ensemble as well as with composing.
Vittoria Aleotti came from a musical family, as both her father and older sister were composers. After entering the San Vito convent at Ferrara, she assisted her sister Raffaella with the musical ensemble, writing many pieces for the group. One of her madrigals for five voices was included alongside leading Ferrarese madrigalists in the famous anthology Il giardino de musici ferrarsei published in 1591. Her father published Ghirlanda de madrigali, which included a collection of four-part madrigals Vittoria had written, that same year. In the latter work, there are two spiritual madrigals and 19 secular ones. Aleotti's music is known for its grace and passion.