Vincenzo Bellavere
Vincenzo Bellavere (aka Bell’haver), Venetian School, organist and composer of madrigals and a few works in the grand polychoral style.
Born around 1540-1541, probably in Venice, he achieved the prestigious post of first organist at St Mark’s Basilica in 1586; but unfortunately died the following year in 1587.
He was a talented composer and could have had the potential to become a major member of the Venetian school; had his career not been cut short.
His later music shows a progressive use of the multiple choir and instrument group style, that was to make Giovanni Gabrieli famous and which is the hallmark of the Venetian School.
Life
Works
Links (internal-external)
Vincenzo Bellavere – Life
Nothing is known about Vincenzo Bellavere (aka Bell’haver), prior to his appearance in Padua in 1567, as an organist at the Crosieri Cathedral; where he apparently tried to gain appointment to the post of first organist. (Photo left)
In 1568, he acquired the position of primary organist at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a Venetian establishment renowned for its music; but less prestigious than St. Mark’s Basilica. He held this post until 1584, at which time he returned to Padua to take the post at the cathedral; that he previously failed to win.
In December 1585, he was fired from his job in Padua, thought to be because of an unexcused absence; but he returned to Venice, to become organist at the church of Santo Stefano, in western part of the San Marco district.
In 1586, he became first organist at St. Mark’s, the position just vacated by Andrea Gabrieli; thus, he was first organist alongside second organist Giovanni Gabrieli.
Unfortunately, Bellavere died on the 29 August 1587; after only holding this post for nine months.
He was a talented composer and could have had the potential to become a major member of the Venetian school; had his career not been cut short.
WORKS
Bellavere wrote besides keyboard works (photo left: Toccata for organ), choral works; notably madrigals in a light style reminiscent of Andrea Gabrieli, as well as four motets and two settings of the Magnificat.
His later music shows a progressive use of the multiple choir and instrument group style that was to make Giovanni Gabrieli famous and which is the hallmark of the Venetian School.
List of choral works: “Amo sol chi m’hà in odio” “Cinto di ardenti voglie” “S’alza nel Ocean” “Sparve ogni nume”
A search on “Musicalics – the Classical Composers Database” reveals some of his works: HERE
Also, I could not find any exclusive recordings; but there are a few compilations that include some of his works. To start with, try these two links below, under both his listed surnames.
Links (internal–external)
Other related posts in the category of Art-Music-Literature
Major members of the Venetian School of Music.
Nicola Vicentino (1511-c.1576)
Cipriano de Rore (c.1515-1565)
Girolamo Diruta (c.1554-after 1610)
Giovanni Gabrieli (c.1555-1612)
Giovanni Bassano (c.1558-1617)
Giulio Cesare Martinengo (c.1561-1613)
Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643)
A search on “Musicalics – the Classical Composers Database” reveals some of his works
Vincenzo Bellavere Vincenzo Bellavere Vincenzo Bellavere