A noted Italian composer of the early Baroque, Paolo Quagliati was a distinguished member of the RomanSchool of composers. Quagliati was one of the first composers to write the innovative solo madrigals. Born into an aristocratic family, Quagliati was appointed by Cardinal Farnese the organist at Santa Maria Maggiore. Later, Quagliati assumed the position as private chamberlain to Pope Gregory XV.