ROSSI ROSSI WhowasRossi?

Salomone Rossi was a highly respected Jewish composer and principal violinist in the court of Mantua, working alongside Claudio Monteverdi in the decades either side of 1600. Today, it is Rossi's famous colleague who enjoys the spotlight, with L’Orfeo (premiered in Mantua in 1607) celebrated as a quality marker for the start of opera. Its scoring requires a sizeable group of immensely sensitive musicians who were asked to play with "much invention and variety". Rossi would have been an inspiring leader in such a ensemble - a first among equals. No doubt because of this, he was one of a select number Jews permitted by the ruling elite not to wear a star of David on his clothing