Gafori, Franchino

(1451-1522)

   Italian priest and composer, influential for his writings on musical theory. His Practica musicae (1496) describes current rules for composing and provides useful clues about the time-value of notes in Renaissance performances. His treatise De harmonia musicorum instrumentorum (1518) shows that he had Latin translations of Greek musical treatises made, so that he was less dependent than earlier theorists on the late-classical author Boethius. Gafori was also a prolific composer. In 1484 he became choirmaster in the cathedral at Milan, where he spent the rest of his life.