There was also an episode in which a dance was executed to the music of a chorus sung behind the scenes.
In 1589, on the occasion of the marriage in Florence of the Grand Duke Ferdinand with Princess Christine of Loraine, there was a festal entertainment under the general direction of Giovanni Bardi, Count of Vernio, at whose palace afterward met the founders of modern opera.
Indeed, the members of the young Florentine coterie were generally concerned in this fete and doubtless found much to move them toward their new conception.

The Count of Vernio's comedy "Amico Fido" was played and was accompanied by six spectacular intermezzi with music.

The first of these was by Ottavio Rinuccini, author of "Dafne" and "Euridice," usually called the first operas.

It was named the "Harmony of the Spheres," and its music was composed by Emilio del Cavaliere (originator of the modern oratorio) and the chapel master Cristoforo Malvezzi.

The second intermezzo dealt with a contest in song between the daughters of Pierus and the muses.