Gabrieli, Andrea

called Andrea di Cannaregio, eminent Italian organist and composer, uncle of GIOVANNI GABRIELI; b. Venice, c. 1510; d. there, 1586. Gabriel studied at the church of S. Marco and was a member of its choir in 1536, then was organist at S. Geremia in Cannaregio from 1557 to 1558. He also was in Frankfurt for the coronation of Maximilian II, serving as court organist of Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria.

In 1566, Gabrieli returned to Venice and was appointed second organist at S. Marco, becoming first organist on Jan. 1, 1585, succeeding the organist and composer CLAUDIO MERULO (1533-1604). He enjoyed a great reputation as an organist (his concerts with Merulo, on two organs, were popular attractions). Among his pupils was his nephew Hans Leo Hassler, who also became an organist and composer.

A prolific composer, Gabrieli wrote a large number of works, many of which were published posthumously, edited by his nephew. He was equally adept in sacred music of the greatest spirituality and in instrumental music, as well as in MADRIGALS, often of a comic nature. He was one of the first composers to mix instrumental and vocal forces in the coro spezzato style, in motets, masses, psalms, and sacred concertos.