The New International Encyclopædia/Arcadelt, Jacob

AR′CADELT, Jacob. A Flemish composer who assisted in founding the classical Italian school of music. The date of his birth is uncertain, but is believed to have been during the first quarter of the Sixteenth Century. His works are among the masterpieces of contrapuntal music of the Middle Ages. He was the most popular composer of his day, and his popularity induced many persons, for business reasons, to add his name to works written by others. During a residence in Rome (1539–55), as teacher and as singer in the Papal Chapel, he composed many madrigals. His works also include motets and masses. Arcadelt probably died about 1570–75, while in Paris with Cardinal Charles, Duke of Guise, whose service he entered in 1557. Consult: Burney, General History of Music, Vol. III. (London, 1789); Ambros. Geschichte der Musik, Vol. II. (Breslau, 1862–82).