During the second part of the 17th century Francesco Cavalli was considered the most important Italian opera composer. Cavalli started his musical career as a choir-boy at St. Mark's in Venice. Maestro di musica of the basilica, the great Monterdi, immediately recognized Cavalli’s enormous talent, and the two developed close working collaboration. Cavalli wrote music for the theatre and the church. Cavalli’s works have been enjoying a great revival recently.