Duchesse mantovane nella vita di Maurizio Cazzati: dediche, protezioni, committenza

The essay studies the relationship between Maurizio Cazzati and Mantua, by analyzing the exchanges between him and the Gonzaga Duchesses, to whom he dedicated some pieces. The young musician set foot in Mantua during the Maria Gonzaga’s dukedom, likely at the end of 1640, and became organist and maestro di cappella of the S. Andrea basilica. Within a few years, Cazzati moved away from Mantua, but kept in touch with the Gonzaga noblewomen. Thanks to one of them, since he became her maestro di cappella, he came back to Mantua in 1672 and lived there until his death. The paper shines a light on the Gonzaga duchesses: on their interest for the arts, within their historical and social context, and on their role in Maurizio Cazzati’s life and career