Anerio, Felice

1560-about 1630

Italian composer, who succeeded Palestrina as composer to the Papal Chapel. He was born in Rome about 1560, sang in the Papal choir from 1575 to 1579, and studied under Giovanni Maria Nanini. He was appointed conductor in the English college, and later, was for a time in the service of Cardinal Aldobrandini. In 1594, Anerio succeeded to the place left vacant by the death of Palestrina, a post he occupied eight years. His unpublished work is scattered in various Roman libraries, some being in the Royal Library at Berlin, and some of his MS. music in the Hofbibliothek at Vienna. Of his published compositions, there are, among other works, several books of madrigals, two books of hymns, canticles and motets.