German lutenist and composer. Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger had the reputation of a virtuoso performer on lute, theorbo and chitarrone, and was working in Venice in 1604 and Rome in 1610, where he was in favour at the Papal court. He published music for lute and chitarrone, villanellas, madrigals, arie passeggiate (i.e. with diminutions), motets in the modern style, double-choir church music, and dances. He also composed dramatic music and an oratorio.