Andrea Falconieri was born in Naples in 1585 or 1586. He frequented aristocratic courts including Modena, Parma, and Genoa, and from 1639 served at the viceroy’s court in Naples. He probably held a post as musician at the court of Florence. Between 1621 and 1628 he traveled and stayed in Spain and France. In 1628 he attended the wedding of Margherita de’ Medici and Duke Edoardo I of Parma. He died in Naples on 29 July 1656. This was probably during that year’s plague epidemic.

Between 1616 and 1620 Falconieri composed seven collections, six of songs and one of motets. His surviving works include Il Libro Primo di Canzoni, Sinfonie, Fantasie, Capricci, dedicated to Juan José of Austria, son of the Spanish king Philip IV, combining Italian and Spanish style. His output also includes madrigals, motets, and other instrumental compositions. Before 1650 he composed many pieces inspired by the Follia theme.

Sources:

• https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Falconieri
• https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q493861