Francesco Usper
Francesco Usper (real name Spongia or Sponga) (1 November 1561 – 24 February 1641), was an Italian composer and organist born in Rovigno, Istria (now Rovinj, Croatia). He settled in Venice before 1586 and is associated with the confraternity St. Giovanni Evangelista, Venice.
Also recorded as Francesco Spongia
Francesco Usper
- Born
- 1561 · Rovinj.
- Died
- 1641 · Venice.
- Nationality
- Republic of Venice
- Occupation
- composer · organist · musician
- Movements
- Baroque music
- Teachers
- Andrea Gabrieli
- Languages
- Italian
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Documentary summary
Francesco Usper (real name Spongia or Sponga) (1 November 1561 – 24 February 1641), was an Italian composer and organist born in Rovigno, Istria (now Rovinj, Croatia). He settled in Venice before 1586 and is associated with the confraternity St. Giovanni Evangelista, Venice.
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wikidata · Q1441259 · wikipedia · Francesco Usper
In this article
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
He spent most of his life there, serving as organist, chaplain, manager of the adjoining church (the S. Salvador) and administrative officer. Usper studied under Andrea Gabrieli and apparently became a fairly well known composer; he collaborated in the writing of a Requiem mass (now lost) with Giovanni Battista Grillo and Claudio Monteverdi for the Grand Duke Cosimo II, and he served as substitute organist at St. Mark's in 1622 and 1623. Although his music tended towards conservatism, he shows his ability to handle with skill sensitivity to the instrumental styles just emerging in the early 17th century.
The authorities additionally record the heading Francesco Spongia. His recorded language was Italian. His recorded confession was Catholic Church.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1641
Francesco Usper died at Venice.
Places
Named by the record
Places
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Rovinj.
Birth place
Venice.
Death place
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Francesco Usper”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q1441259: Francesco Usper
General reference · Wikidata
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reference work
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General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Music memorabilia
42,731 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
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