Silvestro Ganassi Dal Fontego

Silvestro Ganassi Dal Fontego

Silvestro di Ganassi dal Fontego (1 January 1492 – mid-16th century) was a Venetian musician and author of two important treatises on instrumental technique.

His first treatise covers recorder playing: Opera intitulata Fontegara (Venice, 1535). His second (in two volumes) is about the viola da gamba: Regola Rubertina (Venice, 1542) and Lettione Seconda (Venice, 1543). They cover both technicalities of playing and the subtleties of expression. There is also guidance on ornamentation - passaggi.

The revival of interest in historically-aware musical performance has resulted in renewed interest in Ganassi's writings. His treatises are now available in modern editions.