Frescobaldi at the Ospedale di Santo Spirito: a portfolio career in 17th-century Rome

Abstract During the 1620s Girolamo Frescobaldi held post of organist at St Peter’s in Rome concurrently with that Ospedale di Santo Spirito. Both jobs had substantial duties. In this article, three main requirements Spirito—to play for Mass and Vespers, Saturday litanies hospital ward meal times—provide means both reconstructing part daily schedule Spirito tracing Frescobaldi’s activities. The identity Nicolò Cochi, who frequently signed salary Peter’s, is investigated; previously unpublished documents from archive financial records are compared; some conclusions reached as to how a musician such could successfully hold dual, if not multiple employments. At same time, new information about liturgical practice presented.