One of the important Italian composers, Giovanni Battista Mazzaferrata studied with Tarquinio Merula. Mazzaferrata was appointedmaster of the chapel at the Vercelli Cathedral. Other Mazzaferrata’s services included the Accademia della Morte in Ferrara. Mazzaferrata’s compositions played a significant role in formation of the younger generation of composers. Mazzaferrata’s bothsecular and sacred works were popular and were included in many editions and reprints.