entertainment form of the late 16th century, sometimes regarded as one of the precursors to opera. In addition, Vecchi published books of canzonette, a lighter alternative to the madrigal, midway in complexity and seriousness between it and the villanella. He also composed serious madrigals, though not in the quantity of composers like Marenzio, as well as some sacred music. The sacred music in particular shows the influence of the Venetian school, with polychoral writing as well as contrasting duple- versus triple-time sections. References References and further reading Article "Orazio Vecchi," in The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, ed. Stanley Sadie. 20 vol. London, Macmillan Publishers Ltd., 1980. Gustave Reese, Music in the Renaissance''. New York, W.W. Norton & Co., 1954. External links Italian classical composers Italian opera composers Male opera composers Renaissance composers 1550 births 1605 deaths 16th-century Italian composers Italian male classical composers Musicians from Modena 16th-century classical composers