Zarlino

Gioseffo Zarlino (c. 1517–1590), commonly spelled Zarlino, was an Italian Renaissance music theorist and composer whose writings helped shape late 16th-century practice. He is best known for Le istituzioni armoniche (The Harmonic Foundations), published in 1558, a comprehensive treatise that systematized contemporary knowledge of counterpoint, voice leading, tuning, and modal theory. The work presented a rigorous approach to consonance and dissonance, outlined rules for melodic and harmonic movement, and emphasized the structural role of triads in polyphonic writing. It became a foundational reference for generations of musicians and theorists.

Life and career: Zarlino spent a substantial part of his career in Venice, a major hub of Renaissance music. He was closely associated with the city’s vibrant musical establishment and the circle surrounding Saint Mark’s in Venice. His writings sought to reconcile ancient Greek theoretical ideas with contemporary practice and to provide practical guidance for composers and singers.

Influence and legacy: Zarlino’s insistence on the primacy of consonant intervals, his systematic treatment of counterpoint, and his discussions of tuning and temperament helped standardize Renaissance compositional technique. His ideas influenced the generation of composers around the Venetian School and extended into the early Baroque period. In addition to Le istituzioni armoniche, he produced other theoretical writings and occasional musical works, establishing himself as a central figure in the history of music theory.