As a boy a chorister at the Collegio Germanico in Rome, Stefano Landi later studied at the Seminario Romano. In 1618 he was appointed maestro di cappella to the Bishop of Padua, later returning to Rome where he enjoyed varied ecclesiastical patronage, notably from the Barberini family. In 1629 he joined the papal choir.

Operas
Landi’s musical drama Il Sant’Alessio is distinguished as the first historical opera. His earlier pastoral tragicomedy La Morte d’Orfeo deals with one of the most popular operatic subjects.

Vocal Music
Landi also wrote settings of the Mass and of the Psalms. His secular music includes airs and madrigals.