Italian lute virtuoso and composer born in Monza near Milan, Francesco da Milano served several princes and popes. He was a musician attached to the papal chapel and worked under Popes Léo, Clément and Paul. Francesco da Milano won the admiration of everyone and was regarded not only as the greatest lutenist of his time but, perhaps of all time. He published seven books of lute tablatures in Venice between 1536 and 1548. These works include about sixty ricercares, forty one fantasias, a toccata as well as transcriptions of polyphonic vocal scores.

Francesco Canova da Milano (1497-1543) Fantasia XX