Bringing History To Life on Instagram: "Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525 – 2 February 1594) was one of the most influential composers of the Italian Renaissance, known especially for shaping the sound of sacred music during a period of major religious and cultural change. Born in the town of Palestrina near Rome, he rose to prominence as maestro di cappella at several major churches, including St. Peter’s Basilica, where he helped define the musical direction of the Catholic Church at t