He became chapel master at the cathedral of Modena in 1596 and after numerous vicissitudes died in 1605.

His most important work was "L'Amfiparnaso, commedia harmonica," performed at Modena in 1594.

This has been preserved in its entirety, together with the author's preface, from which valuable information may be gathered.

The work is an attempt to turn into a lyric form the "Commedia dell' Arte," enacted in early times at village fairs in northern Italy.

The characters are Arlecchino, Pantalone, Doctor Graziano, Brighella, Isabella, Lelio and others.