Claudio Monteverdi was born in 1567 in Cremona, Northern Italy, he was composer, gambist and singer. During his childhood he studied with Marc`Antonio Ingegneri, who was the singing master at the cathedral in Cremona. Monteverdi produced his first music for publication, some motets and sacred madrigals, in 1582 and 1583. In 1587 he produced his first book of secular madrigals, and shortly thereafter began to look for work outside his native town. In 1590, Monteverdi began working at the court of Vincenzo I of Gonzaga in Mantua as a vocalist and viol player. He married Claudia de Cattaneis in 1599 and in 1601, he was promoted to maestro at the court. The promotion left him less time to compose, but he continued to publish, if slowly. His fourth and fifth books of madrigals were published in 1603 and 1605. In 1607, his wife died, leaving him with their three children. That same year, Monteverdi published both the Scherzi musicali for three voices and his famous opera, Orfeo. His work marks the transition from Renaissance to Baroque music, and during his long life he produced works that may be classified in both categories. Monteverdi has been regarded as a revolutionary who brought about a change in musical styles. He was an ordained Catholic priest in 1632. He died 29 November 1643 in Venice and is buried in the church of the Frari.