Giovan Battista Ferrini

Giovann Battista Ferrini (circa 1601, Rome — 14 November 1674, Rome) was an Italian harpsichordist, organist, and composer, one of the representatives of the "Seconda Pratica" school cited among the most notable composers of his era, alongside Girolamo Frescobaldi and Michelangelo Rossi. Nicknamed "della Spinetta," Ferrini was a virtuoso player, particularly known for mastering "continuo" technique and revered posthumously by other notable musicians, such as G.O. Pitoni. He was an organist at several Roman churches, including San Luigi dei Francesi between 1619 and 1623 and Santa Maria in Vallicella, or "Chiesa Nuova," adjacent to Oratorio dei Fillipini (from 1623 to 1653). In the following years, Giovanni Ferrini was a touring musician, performing at various churches and venues across Italy, including St. Maria Maggiore in 1661. Most of Ferrini's extant works come from the 1661/63 tablature codex, purchased in 1927 by Raffaele Casimiri.