Cazzati was born in Luzzara in the Duchy of Mantua. Though almost unknown today, during his lifetime he served as a successful music director in many cities near his birthplace, including Mantua, Bozzolo, Ferrara and Bergamo, where he was succeeded by Pietro Andrea Ziani.[1] He was so well-thought-of that in 1657 he was invited to take the position of maestro di cappellaofSan Petronio BasilicainBologna, without needing to apply for it. Immediately after his appointment, he made some radical reforms that won him general hostility from the musical community, and led to personal conflicts with other members of the cappella. In particular, he was bitterly criticized by Lorenzo Perti (the uncle of Giacomo Antonio Perti) and Giulio Cesare Arresti, who questioned his capability as maestro. Likely, as Cazzati later declared, they were just jealous of his position. In 1671, he left this position and returned to Mantua, where he served the Duchess Isabella as Maestro di Cappella da Camera until his death. While being only a small portion of his enormous printed output (66 printed volumes), his instrumental music is nowadays considered the most important and influential part. His op. 35 (1665) contains the first known example of a trumpet sonata.
^Venetian instrumental music from Gabrieli to Vivaldi - Page 171 Eleanor Selfridge-Field - 1994 - In 1657 he succeeded Cazzati as maestro di cappella of Santa Maria
Schnoebelen, Anne. "Cazzati, Maurizio". Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online, Oxford University Press. Retrieved 24 September 2013.(subscription required)
