Penna, Lorenzo

Penna, Lorenzo an Italian organist, was born at Bologna in 1613. He entered the Order of Carmelites at Mantua, taught theology, and became chapelmaster of the church of his order at Parma. His reputation as an organist and didactic writer appears to have been great. He died Oct. 20, 1693. Besides his Messes and his Psaumes concertos, which have had several editions, we have of his works, Li primi labori musicali (Bologna, 1656-79, 3 pts. 4to), a treatise reprinted five times, and containing some good things; and Direttorio del canto fermno (Modena, 1689, 4to). See Orlandi, Scrittori Bolognesi; Fetis, Biog. univ. des Musiciens.