MAESTRO DI CAPPELLA

Maestro di Cappella: translation

(It. "Chapel master"; Fr. maître de chappelle; Ger. Kapellmeister; Sp. maestro di capilla)

   The musician, usually a composer, in charge of all musical activities at an important musical establishment (not always technically a chapel). Important posts were at the Sistine Chapel in Rome, St. Mark’s in Venice, and the Hofkappelle in Vienna, the cathedrals of Seville and Toledo, as well as several in New Spain. The German term acquires a somewhat pejorative tone by the 19th century.