ROSSI, MADAMA EUROPA DE’
ROSSI, MADAMA EUROPA DE’, highly accomplished professional singer in the court of the Gonzaga family in late 16th and early 17th century Mantua. The sister of the composer and musician Salamone De’ *Rossi , she was the daughter of Bonaiuto De’ Rossi and the wife of the prominent Jewish community leader David ben Elisha, whose last name was also De’ Rossi. Madama Europa had two sons, Bonaiuto (Azaria), who became a prominent Jewish leader and educator, and Angelo (Mordechai), who became a court lutanist in Turin and a banker. Madama Europa’s grandsons also served as skilled court musicians and bankers in Turin.
Madama Europa’s musical activities in Mantua are known through court salary records and letters from audience attendees. In one document of 1592–93 she is listed as “Europa di Rossi,” along with a group of other musicians, including Claudio Monteverdi.
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