A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Croce, Giovanni dalla

CROCE, Giovanni dalla, a learned, original composer, was born about 1560 at Chioggia. He was a pupil of Zarlino, by whom he was placed in the choir of San Marco. In 1603 he succeeded Donato as Maestro at that cathedral, and still held the post when he died in 1609 [App. p.601 "August"]. He was also in priest's orders, and in this capacity was attached to the church of Santa Maria Formosa. His publications chiefly consist of a long list of Madrigals, Motets, Psalms, and other pieces in the ordinary musical forms of his epoch, and, with the exception of one curious volume, they are hardly worth enumeration. This is intituled, 'Triacca Musicale, nella quale vi sono diversi capricci a 4, 5, 6, and 7 voci, nuovamente composta e data in luce' (Gi. Vincenti, Venice, 1597). The pieces in it are mostly comic, and are composed upon words written in the Venetian patois. A second edition of this was issued in 1603, a third in 1607, and a fourth in 1609. Two motets for eight voices are in Bodenschatz's 'Florilegium Portense' (Part 2, Nos. 111 and 150). A collection of church music by Croce, set to English words, under the title of 'Musica Sacra to Sixe Voyces,' was published in London in 1608. Several fine motets of his, full of expression and beauty, have been published with English words by Mr. Hullah in his Part Music, and nine in the collection of the Motet Society; and his madrigal 'Cynthia, thy song' is well known.

[ E. H. P. ]