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Johannes Gutenberg was a German inventor best known for introducing the movable-type printing press to Europe. His most famous work, the Gutenberg Bible, was the first major book printed with movable metal type. Gutenberg’s invention revolutionized the production of books by making them faster, cheaper, and more accessible. This innovation played a crucial role in spreading knowledge, supporting the Renaissance, fueling the Reformation,and shaping the modern world through mass communication. -
Spanish composer, poet, and playwright, considered a founder of Spanish drama. Known for his villancicos and secular songs, he blended music and poetry, influencing the development of Spanish Renaissance music and theater. -
German theologian and reformer who challenged church practices, promoted scripture as the core of faith, and helped launch the Protestant movement. His writings and ideas reshaped religious life and influenced Western thought. -
Cristóbal de Morales was a Spanish Renaissance composer known for his elegant sacred music, especially masses and motets, which were admired across Europe. -
Antonio de Cabezón was a Spanish Renaissance composer and one of the leading early keyboard musicians. Blind from childhood, he served the royal court and wrote influential works for organ and harpsichord, known for their expressive and intricate style. -
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina fue un compositor italiano del Renacimiento reconocido por su música religiosa clara y equilibrada; su estilo de polifonía vocal se convirtió en un modelo para la música sacra y en la base del estudio del contrapunto. -
Orlando di Lasso was a Flemish Renaissance composer known for his great stylistic variety and expressive writing; he excelled in both sacred and secular music, and his mastery of polyphony made him one of the most influential musicians of his time. -
Italian composer and organist of the Venetian School, known for influential choral, instrumental, and ceremonial music. His work shaped the distinctive sound of Venice and laid the foundation for the innovations of later composers, including his nephew Giovanni Gabrieli. -
Italian composer, singer, and lutenist, recognized as the first woman to have her music published. Known for madrigals that combined expressive text setting with intricate vocal lines, she contributed to the Renaissance madrigal tradition and paved the way for women composers. -
Tomás Luis de Victoria was a Spanish Renaissance composer celebrated for the emotional intensity and spiritual depth of his sacred music; his refined polyphony, rich harmonies, and expressive use of text made him one of the most important figures of late Renaissance church music. -
Italian composer and organist of the Venetian School, noted for grand ceremonial works, innovative use of space and instrumentation, and influential contributions to early Baroque style. His music helped define the sound of St. Mark’s Basilica and shaped the development of orchestration. -
Italian nobleman and composer known for highly expressive, experimental madrigals and intense chromatic harmonies. His innovative musical language influenced later generations, and his dramatic personal life contributed to his lasting notoriety.