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Birth of Bartolomeo Cristofori
In 1655, Bartolomeo Cristofori, an Italian "strumentaio" (instrument maker) was born in Padua in the Republic of Venice. The history of Cristofori's family life is not highly known and despite the lack of knowledge about the location of his workshop, Cristofori must have acquired considerable notoriety as an instrument maker. -
Period: to
Invention of Piano
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De' Medici family
In 1688, Prince Ferdinando de' Medici, a humanist, patron, and lover of music, stopped at Padua and decided to recruit Cristofori, who agree to the appointment at a salary of 12 scudi per month. He worked as a harpsichord maker for the prince in the Galleria dei Lavori of the Uffizi. -
Invention of oval spinet
In 1690, CristoforI built the oval spinet, which was an evolution of the harpsichord as it had longest strings in the middle of the case. He was paid 1,036 lire for the work accomplished. -
Period: to
The Invention of the Piano