ARCADELT, JACQUES  

Probably French by birth, Arcadelt spent time in Italy in Florence and Venice, as well as in the papal service, before returning to France, to the service of Charles of Lorraine.

Church Music

Possibly at one time a pupil of Josquin Desprez, Arcadelt left a certain quantity of church music, including settings of the Lamentations, three Masses and various settings of Marian and other texts.

Secular Vocal Music

Arcadelts principal interest, a’s a composer, was in secular vocal composition, with a quantity of French chansons and Italian madrigals. He enjoyed considerable contemporary esteem and is an important figure in the early development of the latter form.