A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Soriano, Francesco

by George Grove

SORIANO (or SURIANO, or SURIANI), Francesco, was born at Rome in 1549, and at the age of 15 entered the choir at S. John Lateran. After the breaking of his voice he became a pupil of Montanari, then of G. M. Nanini, and lastly of Palestrina. After this his fame went on always increasing. In 1581 we find him Maestro di cappella at S. Ludovico dei Francesi; in 1587 at S. Maria Maggiore; in 1599 at S. John Lateran. He returned however to S. Maria Maggiore, and in 1603 made his final step to the head of the choir of S. Peter's. He died in Jan. 1620, and was buried at S. Maria Maggiore. Soriano published his first work in 1581, a book of madrigals à 5. This was followed by a second in 1592; by two books à 4, 1601, 1602; by a book of masses for 4, 5 and 6 voices, 1609; and by a collection of 110 canons on 'Ave Maris Stella.' His last work was a Magnificat and Passione à 4, Rome 1619, containing his portrait. A complete list of his works is given in Kiesewetter's Baini, p. 233. He will be remembered longest for having arranged Palestrina's Missa Papæ Marcelli for 8 voices. The Passion already mentioned, a Magnificat and 5 Antiphons, are included in Proske's Musica Divina, vols. iii. and iv., and 2 Masses in the 'Selectus novus.'

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