Jacquet of Mantua

**Jacquet of Mantua** (ca. 1483–1559) was a Renaissance composer whose smooth polyphonic style bridged the gap between medieval and early modern sacred music. Born Jacques Colebault in France, he earned his nickname by spending most of his career in Mantua, Italy, where he served as *maestro di cappella* at the city’s cathedral from 1526 until his death. A contemporary of giants like Josquin des Prez, Jacquet blended Franco-Flemish precision with Italian melodic flair, crafting elegant masses and motets like *Ave regina caelorum* and the *Missa Surge Petre*—works that shimmer with intricate vocal layers and devotional warmth.

Though less spotlighted today than some peers, Jacquet was a big deal in his time: his music spread across Europe thanks to Venetian publishers, and he even snagged a shoutout in a 16th-century music theory treatise. Whether he’s guiding choirs through the serene harmonies of *Ave maris stella* or flexing his counterpoint skills in larger-scale works, Jacquet’s output remains a hidden gem for fans of Renaissance sacred music. Fun fact: He stuck around Mantua so long that he basically became an honorary local—no small feat for a Frenchman in Italy’s fiercely competitive court scene!

Genres