1565—Florence, Italy

Duke Cosimo de’ Medici writes to Averardo Serristori, his ambassador in Rome, about the need for a boy soprano. One of the requirements for the singer is that he be able to perform along with violins and trombones: “It so happens that in an intermedio for the comedy which is being prepared for performance on the arrival of the Princess [Joanna] there is a need of a boy’s voice as a soprano….We tell you that he has to sing alone in a large room in company with four violini and four tromboni.” The musician hired is Giulio Caccini, who becomes known for his pioneering efforts in early opera (Carter, Giulio Caccini).