Claudio Merulo

Claudio Merulo (1533–1604), born at Correggio, was an Italian organist, composer and publisher of the late Venetian Renaissance, celebrated for pioneering keyboard music. After a year at Brescia Cathedral, he was appointed organist of St Mark's in 1557 and became its first organist in 1566.

He wrote festive music for Henry III of France's 1574 visit to Venice. In 1584 he left St Mark's for Parma's Farnese court; from 1587 he served Parma Cathedral and published his influential Toccate per organo. He died at Parma in 1604.