Francesco Soriano

Francesco Soriano was an Italian composer of the late Renaissance, born around 1548 and active mainly in Rome. A contemporary of Palestrina, Soriano was part of a generation of composers who helped transition sacred music from the rich polyphony of the Renaissance to a clearer, more text-focused style that aligned with the goals of the Counter-Reformation. He was especially known for his masses, motets, and passion settings, and he worked for many prestigious institutions, including the Cappella Giulia at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Soriano’s work often reflects the ideals promoted by the Council of Trent, emphasizing intelligibility of text and a more austere musical expression, though his compositions still retain a lush polyphonic texture. Alongside Palestrina and Victoria, Soriano played a key role in shaping sacred music in this pivotal era for the Catholic Church. His adaptation and arrangement of Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli, as well as his own sacred compositions, highlight his significance in the evolution of liturgical music.