Jacopo Peri

Jacopo Peri, born in 1561, was an Italian composer, singer, and instrumentalist who played a pivotal role in the development of opera during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Known as "Il Zazzerino," or "the blond one," Peri is celebrated for composing what is considered the first opera, "Dafne," and the earliest surviving opera, "Euridice," which premiered in 1600. Influenced by the Florentine Camerata, Peri collaborated with notable poets such as Ottavio Rinuccini to create groundbreaking works that laid the foundation for the dramatic vocal style of early Baroque opera. His innovative approach to monodic style and his contributions to the genre have earned him the title of the "inventor of opera." Peri's legacy endures through his pioneering compositions and his enduring impact on the world of music.