Miserere Mei Deus a15. Marco Giuseppe Peranda

Abstract

In the 17th century, Italian virtuoso musicians were coveted in Northern Germany as the Italian style was seen as more beautiful than that of the native. No court followed this thought more so than in Dresden, where the Elector Johan Georg II reforms of music, organisation of musical ensembles and hiring of Italian musicians gave the Court at Dresden a lasting musical legacy. Over the second half of the century Italians would become status symbols, receiving the highest salaries and the utmost respect. In Dresden, four major Italian musicians would move into Germany, and be made Kapellmeisters and along with the Prince make Dresden a hub for the Italianate style.