GAFORI, FRANCHINO

(1451-1522)

Italian priest and composer, influential for his writings on musical theory. HisPractica musicae(1496) describes current rules for composing and provides useful clues about the time-value of notes in Renaissance performances. His treatiseDe harmonia musicorum instrumentorum(1518) shows that he had Latin translations ofGreekmusical treatises made, so that he was less dependent than earlier theorists on the late-classicalauthor Boethius. Gafori was also a prolific composer. In 1484 he became choirmaster in the cathedral atMilan, where he spent the rest of his life.